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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



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http://www.archive.org/details/manualofangorago01thom 



A MANUAL 



OF 



Angora Goat Raising 



WITH A CHAPTER ON 



MILCH GOATS. 



By GEORGE FAYETTE THOMPSON, M, S. 

Bureau of Animal Industry 
AUTHOR OP 

" Information Concerning the Angora Goat," " The Angora Goat," 
and " The Angora Goat Industry in 1901." 



Chicago, III., U. S. A : 

American Sheep Breeder Co. Press. 

1903. 



THE LIBRARY OF 
CONFESS, 



Two Copies Received 



FEj 



1903 



n Copyright fcntry 
CLASS CX. XXo. No 
COPY B, 



Entered, according to Act of Congi-ess, in the year 1903, by the 

AMERICAN SHEEP BREEDER PRESS, 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



>TpO my father, Rev. R. S. Thompson, whose solicitude 
* for my welfare in youth has never been forgotten, 
whose Christian character has ever been my guide, and 
whose patient industry has ever been my inspiration, I 
dedicate this little work in deep affection. 

THE AUTHOR. 



PUBLISHERS' ANNOUNCEMENT, 



The remarkable development of the Angora and mohair indus- 
try in this country during the last three years and the widespread 
demand for definite and reliable information concerning the breed- 
ing and raising of this class of goats and the production of mohair, 
emphasized by more than one hundred thousand letters of inquiry, 
a large number of which have come directly to the office of the 
American Sheep Breeder, have made apparent the desirability of 
and necessity for a manual or hand-book concise and cheap enough 
to be within the reach of all, and yet comprehensive enough to meet 
the wants of new beginners as well as veteran breeders. To meet 
this demand we are pleased to present this volume — "Angora Goat 
Raising and Milch Goats." The author, Prof. Geo. F. Thompson, 
the distinguished editor of the U. S. Bureau of Animal Industry, 
is the recognized authority in this country upon the subjects herein 
treated. The book is the result of years of painstaking study and 
research, and Ave offer it to the American public in the belief that it 
will meet a warm welcome and subserve the purpose for which the 
gifted author prepared it. The industries treated in these pages 
are yet in their infancy and manifestly have a great future. The 
demand for Angoras and mohair is far in excess of the supply and 
likely to remain so for many a year to come. We have many 
millions of acres of rough mountain, hill and brush land eminently 
suited to the goat industry, but unsuited to any other domestic use, 
that may be profitably devoted to the raising of Angoras and 
mohair, and until these are utilized, the mission of this book will 
not be wholly fulfilled. Coincident and coextensive with the 
Angora movement is a general awakening of interest in milch 
goats, especially in the towns and cities and among the leading 
physicians, hospitals and sanitariums. Our author gives an admi- 
rable summary of up-to-date information upon this subject, which 
we are sure will be received with marked approval. 



CONTENTS, 

chapter i. Page 

Origin and History of the Angora Goat 11 

CHAPTER II. 

Description of the Angora Goat 30 

CHAPTER III. 
Importers and Importations 36 

CHAPTER IV. 

Number of Angora Goats and Production of Mohair. 49 

CHAPTER V. 

Browsing and Pasturage 62 

CHAPTER VI. 

Mohair and Mohair Manufactures 79 

CHAPTER VII. 

The Meat, the Markets, and the Milk 96 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Localities Adapted to Angora Goat Raising 101 

CHAPTER IX. 
The Care of Angora Goats .*............... 117 

CHAPTER X. 

Flock Management 135 

CHAPTER XL 

Shearing, Shears, and Shedding .143 

CHAPTER XII. 

Diseases and Other Enemies 153 

CHAPTER XIII. 
The Skins and Their Uses . . . 164 

CHAPTER XIV. 
Minor Features of Importance 167 

CHAPTER XV. 
Milch Goats, 176 



PREFACE, 



A wonderful interest has been manifested in the Angora goat 
industry during the last three years. Breeders and editors of live- 
stock papers have been overwhelmed with correspondence concern- 
ing these beautiful and useful animals. The Bureau of Animal 
Industry, burdened beyond anyone else probably with this corre- 
spondence, assigned to me the duty of preparing a bulletin on the 
subject. It was the purpose of that bulletin to answer all the 
inquiries that were made, and it met with a hearty reception every- 
where. 

That bulletin is now out of print. The demand, however, for a 
manual on goat raising is still very strong. Every day scores of 
farmers decide to investigate the industry with a view to engaging 
in it, and their first desire is for such information as may be found 
in this work. The information given herein is drawn from various 
sources — a thorough review of all literature on the subject, much 
correspondence with Angora goat men, personal acquaintance with 
nearly all of the leading Angora breeders in the United States, and 
some practical experience. 

The author desires to acknowledge here his obligations to 
persons and documents that have been helpful in the preparation 
of this volume. He is specially indebted to Mrs. Sallie Kussell 
Reeves, Dr. W. E. Griffith, and Charles M. Daugherty, and to 
many others, mentioned elsewhere, who have furnished photo- 
graphs. A list of the books which have proved very helpful, 
especially in the preparation of the chapter on "milch goats," is 
appended below. The Author. 



Die Ziegen und Kanincbenzucht. Von Dr. William Lobe. Pp. 80. 

Berlin, 1875. 
Die Ziegenzucht in Deutchland. Hire Mangel und Mittel zu ihrer Hu- 

bung. Von Peter Petersen. Pp. 78. Berlin, 1899. 
Leitfaden fur die Berbreitung, Pflege und rationelle Zucht der Ziege 

mit Verucksichtigung ihrer land und volkswirtschaftlichen Bedeu- 

tung. 2d part. Von. Fr. Dettweiler. Pp. 72. Darmstadt, 1896. 



PREFACE. Vii 

Die Hausziege, das Milchtier des kleinen Mannes, ihre Naturgeschichte, 
Geschichte, Rassen, Schlage, Nutzverwertung, Haltung, Pflege, 
Fiitterung and Zucht. Von Docent Dr. Ernst S. Ziirn. Pp. 72. 
Leipzig, 1901. 

Die Zeigenzucht. Krankheiten der Ziegen, deren Heilung und verhii- 
tung. Von A. v. Renesse. Pp. 37. Minister i. W., 1901. 

Die Ernahrung und Haltung der Ziege als Milchtier des Kleinen 
Mannes. 2d edition. Von Dr. G. Kloepfer. Pp. 62. Essen, 1896. 

Rind, Schaf, Ziege und Schwein. Von J. G. Obst. Pp. 41. Leipzig. 

Milch Goats and Their Management. By Bryan Hook. Pp. 115. London. 

La Chevre. Races, Elevage, Malaaies, Produits de la Chevrerie. Par 
Huart du Plessis. Paris. 



INTRODUCTION* 



So far as history enlightens us, the goat has always been one 
of the best-known domestic animals. How long he has been in 
disfavor simply because he was "nothing but a goaf and been 
the subject of every funny man's joke, we are unable to say. The 
oldest accounts show him to have been a most useful animal in the 
furnishings of hair for curtains, skins for clothing and tents and 
meat for the tribes, yet clown to this day he has been maligned 
beyond reason, and that, too, by those who have worn his skin as 
gloves and shoes and capes, his hair as the finest of furs and. ex- 
pensive dress goods, and eaten his flesh as delicious lamb. 

There has recently been an awakening in the United States, 
especially among those who are ever ready to welcome and to dig- 
nify any industry that is honorable and bids fair to pay dividends. 
And so it is that the Angora goats, the finest breed of the goat fam- 
ily, is now receiving the credit that has long been their due. His 
usefulness is manifested in various ways, as is shown in the several 
chapters of this volume. The fleece, technically called "mohair," 
furnishes some of the finest fabrics known among ladies' dress 
goods, as well as plushes, robes, rugs, etc. ; their habit of broAvsing 
admits of their being put to an economic use as brush destroyers, 
thus enabling the farmer to subjugate his brushwood with little 
or no aid from the ax; their flesh is exceedingly delicate and 
nutritious and it finds a ready market; the milk, though not so 
abundant as with the established milch breeds of goats, is richer 
than cow's milk, and approaches very closely human milk in qual- 
ity; their tanned skins are not suitable for shoe leather, owing to 
their peculiar texture, but good Work gloves and morocco for book 
binding are largely made from them; their pelts, when properly 
dressed, make rugs and robes of striking beauty and great utility; 
owing to their freedom from goat odor, so well known of common 
goats, and especially of their great attractiveness and docility, they 
make the very finest pets for children; a few of them among a 
flock of sheep are in a measure a protection to the sheep against 
the invasion of dogs ; their manure is noticeably helpful to the 
grass which springs up under them as they clear away the under- 
brush. 

These arc all subjects of varying degrees of importance, and 
will be discussed quite fully in this little volume. 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Pages 

Geo. F. Thompson (portrait) Frontispiece 

Angoras in Asia Minor 16 

Angoras on Sage Brush in Asia Minor 16 

Pack Train on Skaria River ° • • • 17 

Davis Importation 21, 23 

Kemble Brothers' "Aztec" 33 

Jno. S. Harris (portrait) 41 

Dr. W. C. Bailey (portrait) 45 

F. O. Landrum 47 

Wm. J. Cohill (the boy breeder) 51 

N. A. Gwin 53 

C. P. Bailey & Sons 57 

California Angoras 61 

Goats on Brushwood ". 65 

D. C. Taylor & Son 67 

R. C. Johnson 71 

Geo. H. Baldwin 73 

Mrs. M. Armer 75 

Geo. B. Goodall (portrait) 85 

American Mohair 89 

Turkish Mohair 93 

E. D. Ludlow & Co 107 

W. S. Prickett Ill 

Place & Hoover 115 

Jas. A. Moberley 119, 123, 129 

The Hughes Separating Bridge 127 

Philo Ogden 137 

Age Shown by the Teeth 139 

Allen Shearing Machine 145 

Ludlow Combination Shearing Table 146, 147, 148 

Flexible Shaft Shearing Machine ... 149 

Cooper Shearing Machine 151 

African Goats 166, 175 

Mrs. Edward Roby (portrait) 178 

Mrs. Edward Roby's Milch Goats 181 

Common Milch Goat of Queensland, Australia 183 

Hornless Buck and Starkenburger Buck 187 

Schwarzenburg-Guggisberger Doe and Hinterwalder Doe 191 

Goat of Malaga, Spain, and Goat of Granada, Spain 195 

Maltese Goat and Nubian Goat 199 

Maltese Goat 203 

Saanen Buck and Saanen Doe 207 

Swiss Goat 215 

Spanish Maltese Buck 219 

Spanish Maltese Doe and Hornless Spanish Maltese Doe 221 



A MANUAL 



OF 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 



CHAPTER L 

ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE ANGORA GOAT. 
Historical Scope of this Volume. 

Whoever would undertake at this time to add anything con- 
cerning the origin and history of the Angora goat to that which 
has been published by S. C. Cronwright Schreiner, 1 or in- 
deed attempt to improve upon his facts, will be confronted with a 
task well nigh impossible. The purpose of the writer hereof is 
to present to the Angora goat raisers a manual for every-day use, 
rather than a discussion of a history that is at best quite nebulous, 
and therefore he will content himself with such a brief historical 
survey as will logically lead to a proper consideration of the goat 
itself and its adaptability to the varying conditions of the climate 
and ihe soil of our country. Breeders generally are busy men and 
they will probably extend a more generous welcome to this volume 
if it condenses history and hastens on to measures of more im- 
portance. No thought is in mind of belittling the value of history 
to the student of any art or science, but an author should not add 
cost and inconvenience to a manual by giving a history in much 
detail of the subject treated. 

Origin of tlie Angora Goat. 

There are about ten species of wild goats, according to natural- 
ists, and all of them, except possibly the Eocky Mountain goat, 

J The Angora Goat. Pp. 296, New York. 1898. 



12 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

are confined to Europe and the Himalayas of Asia. These are 
divided into two groups, as follows: 

I. The ibexes. — These according to Hayes, have, as a distinc- 
tive characteristic, horns "flat in front, with a horizontal triangular 
section, furnished with large transversal knots." 

II. Goats 'proper. — These, according to Hayes, have horns 
compressed and carinated in front, and, according to Wood, "may 
be distinguished from the ibex and the sheep by the peculiar for- 
mation of the horns, which are compressed and rounded behind 
and furnished with a well-developed keel in front." 

There are two subspecies of this second group — Capra falconeri 
and Capra ccgagrus. The latter is known as the Paseng, the Bezoar 
goat, or wild goat, or Persia, and is now generally accepted by nat- 
uralists as the goat from which the Angora is descended through 
Capra liircus, which is claimed to be the ancestor of all common 
breeds of goats. 

As to the parent of the Angora stock, there is a difference of 
opinion between the two best-known writers on this subject — John 
L. Hayes, author of The Angora Goat, etc. (1882), and S. C. 
Cronwright Schreiner, author of The Angora Goat (1898). The 
one takes the position that it is descended from Capra falconeri, 
the other from Capra ccgagrus. Owing to the additional informa- 
tion which has been obtained since the appearance of Hayes's book 
and which is embodied in Schreiner's work, there can hardly re- 
main a doubt of the correctness of the contention that the Angora 
goat descended from Capra cegagrus. 

Schreiner, who has made extensive research, has described these 
two subspecies as follows: "Capra falconeri has a beard which 
extends from the chin to the shoulders and chest, and long spirally 
twisted horns, the twist being outward from the base. The males, 
when old, become whitish all over. The ewes have a beard con- 
fined to the chin, and small horns with a slight spiral twist. It is 
a native of the Western Himalayas, northern Afghanistan, and 
possibly of Persia; it is also found generally in Cashmere and 
on the Tibetan side of the Himalayas. Fossil remains show that 
it is one of the oldest types of goats. 

"Capra ccgagrus 1 is chiefly remarkable for its enormous 
horns, which are larger proportionately than in any other ruminant 

J There is evidence that in classic times this goat was widely distrib- 
uted over the Grecian Archipelago, although in Europe it is now found only 
in Crete, the island of Antemelo, in the Cyclades, and perhaps also in 
Guire to the northeast of Eubea. Eastward it is found in the hills and 
mountains of Asia Minor, being especially common in the Taurus range, and 
it extends thence through Persia into Baluchistan, Sind, and Afghanistan. 
In India its range does not extend beyond the western side of Sind. It is 
found in Sind and Baluchistan in hills a little above the sea level; in the 
mountains of Persia it ascends to an elevation of 11,000 feet to 12,000 feet.— 
Schreiner. 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 13 

animal; they approximate the triangular in form, transversely 
rigid, and are bent backward as in the domestic varieties, being 
scimitar-like in shape and curve, and having no spiral twist. 
Large horns of Capra cegagrus measure 40 inches along the curve, 
but a length of upward of 52^ inches, with a basal girth of 7 
inches, has been recorded. It stands somewhat higher than any of 
the domesticated varieties of the goat (an adult male stood 37 
inches at the withers), from which it further differs in its short 
and powerful neck, its stouter limbs, and slender body. In the 
female the horns are exceedingly diminutive or are altogether 
wanting. The fur, which over the greater part of the body is 
short, is of a grayish brown color, with a black line running along 
the entire length of the back, while the under surface of the neck 
and the beard, which is present in both sexes, are of a brown color. 
In the winter coat the hair on the neck and shoulders is rather 
longer than elsewhere, and in the same season, in the colder part of 
the animal's habitat, a coat of woolly fur is developed beneath the 
hair." 

Native Habitat of tlie Angora Goat. 

At this time we can trace the history of the Angora goat back 
to the vilayet of Angora, in Asia Minor, and this location is usu- 
ally given as the place of its origin. Some have ventured to say 
that these goats were introduced there 2,400 years ago, but there 
is no reliable information extant bearing upon this point. 

There is pretty strong evidence which goes to show that they 
were a distinctive breed when Moses was leading the Israelites out 
of Egypt. Goats' hair was spun by the Israelites for curtains and 
other purposes for use in the temple. 1 In the story recorded 
in I Samuel (chapter 19) of the artifice of Michal in deceiving 
the messengers of Saul by. placing an image in the bed in place 
of David and giving it a pillow of goats' hair, is believed by Pen- 
nant to refer to a pillow made of the Angora fleece. 

The city of Angora, or Engurieh, the capital city of the vilayet 
of Angora, is the ancient Ancyra, and is located about 220 miles 
south by southeast from Constantinople. Angora was the seat of 

x Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord; whosoever is of a 
willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Lord; gold, and silver, 
and brass, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goat's hair.— 
Exodus xxxv, 5, 6. 

And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and 
fine linen, and goat's hair, and red skins of rams, and badgers' skins, 
brought them.— Exodus xxxv, 23. 

And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' 
hair.— Exodus xxxv, 26. 

And he made curtains of goats' hair for the tent over the tabernacle; 
eleven curtains he made them. The length of one curtain was thirty cubits, 
and four cubits was the breadth of one curtain; the eleven curtains were 
of one size.— Exodus xxxvi, 14, 15. 



14 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

one of the earliest Christian churches, and was probably estab- 
lished by the Apostle Paul. The province is mountainous to a con- 
siderable extent and furrowed by deej) valleys. It is about 2,900 
feet above the level of the sea. Of the climate Mr. H. A. Cum- 
berbatch, British consul at Angora (1895), and quoted by 
Schreiner, says : "The climate is extreme. In the months of 
January and February the thermometer will mark a minimum of 
10° F. for several days at a time, reach as far as 0° F., whilst in 
June and July the maximum readings of 85° F. are maintained 
day after day, with little or no rain. The country is covered with 
snow in the winter, rain and snow falling frequently. In 1894 
the total rainfall at Angora was 8.12 inches, but that was an 
exceptionally dry season. For the first six months of 1895 the 
rainfall was 10.10 inches, which is somewhat above the average; 
the heaviest rainfall in twenty-four hours having been 1.20 inches." 

The following description is by a native Turk, who was once 
connected with the Bureau of Animal Industry: "Asia Minor, 
in general aspect, is an extensive peninsula, projecting like a 
bridge from the main mass of the Eastern continent towards 
Europe. Elevated plains occupy a great part of the interior, 
intersected and bounded by ranges of mountains, leaving only 
narrow lowlands between them and the shores. No part of the 
whole peninsula is less than 2,000 feet above the level of the sea, 
and the average height of the most fertile tablelands is from 
3,000 to- 4,000 feet." 

With reference to the vilayet, or province, of Angora, the same 
writer says: "The peculiar domain of the Angora goat, even the 
very center of it — 39° 20' and 40° 30' north latitude and between 
33° 20' and 35° longitude east of Paris — is more or less moun- 
tainous and furrowed by deep valleys. Elevated masses are 
generally shaded by fine forests, while the plateaus, which form 
a large part of the country, are but sparsely wooded. On account 
of this nudity the early spring heat dries up what humidity is left 
in the earth. The climate, as should be expected under such cir- 
cumstances, has extremes — winters very cold and summers exces- 
sively hot — the thermometer frequently descending to 5° to 10° 
F. below zero and rising as high as 90° F." 

One more quotation will be of interest as showing something 
of the diversity of climate and soil of Angora and their influence 
upon the quality of the mohair. No such distinction due to climate 
and soil can yet be made concerning localities in the United 
States, but this may be owing to the fact that since mohair has 
been receiving particular attention it has not been grown a suf- 
ficient number of years in any one section to give it a distinctive 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 15 

character; the animals have recently had rapid change of owner- 
ship, and some have spent much time on the railroad. The 
following information is from Gavin Gatheral, many years British 
vice consul at Angora, and a man who seized every opportunity 
to inform himself concerning the Angora goat in his native 
habitat. 

"The most northerly point at which the mohair goat thrives is 
Kastamboul — a large and fertile province, but too near the moist 
winds of the Black Sea for the mohair goat to reach its highest 
development. The fleece, though lustrous, is harsh and coarse. 
It is somewhat unfortunate that the first selections for export to 
the Cape Colony for naturalization there, were made from this 
district. Had other varieties to be noted further on been preferred, 
the result of the Cape Experiment might have been more saris- 
factory. 

"Two hundred miles inland, and to the southward, lies Angora. 
This province produces five different varieties from as many dis- 
tricts. Yaban-Ova is a heavy lustrous fleece; Chorba, a mohair 
so soft and fine that it falls to pieces as soon as it is shorn from 
the goat's back; Chubouk-Ova is remarkable for its length and 
fineness of fiber; Ayash is a white but lusterless fleece. The rams 
of these first-named districts are undoubtedly thoroughbred, though 
smaller in size than those of some other varieties. They possess 
all the points that a practical stock breeder will commend. 

"Sheltered by oak forests during the short but severe winters, 
and grazed on the valley grass during spring and summer, they 
seem to find in the alteration everything needful for strength 
and vigor, as is proved by their being so prolific, the ewes having 
frequently pairs and often triplets. Joevas is bright and showy, 
but full of what is technically known as stick, or kempy, hair. 

"Bei Bazar is so near Angora that the mohair it produces has 
no marked points of difference. The rams are larger in size, very 
hardy, and stand a sea voyage well. A few have been recently 
(1880) exported to the Cape Colony, the result being highly satis- 
factory. To the northward are Cherkass and Geredeh, two dis- 
tricts where the mohair goats have been introduced in compara- 
tively recent times. There they develop distinct characteristics, 
owing to the difference of climate and elevation. The Geredeh ram 
is a large and powerful animal, covered with a fleece that seems 
almost black, surcharged with grease, but when scoured the mohair 
is found to be second to none in qualit} r and quantity. 

"The difficulty of access to this mountain region has hitherto 
prevented securing any of the goats for export. To the eastward 
are Sivrihisar and Eskishihan. Both suffered severelv from the 



16 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 



two years of excessive drought in 187-1-75, and the consequent 
famine. Many of the goats perished; but the grazers replaced 
them with stock from other districts, the result being a marked 
improvement in quality and value. 




ANGORAS NEAR SKARIA RIVER, ASIA MINOR. 




ANGORAS FEEDING ON SAGE BRUSH IN ASIA MINOR. 



"On the south lies Konieh, the soil there being of the color 
and character of brickdust. The fleece of the Konieh goat is a 
reddish brown and, though this reduces the value of the mohair, it 
is sought after for special manufactures. Climate, soil, or food 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 



17 



cannot affect the products of high-grade mohair, provided two very 
essential points are carefully observed, namely, purity of blood and 
avoidance of humidity/' 

It was in this country that this famous goat reached its per- 
fection — and such a perfection as has not yet been reached by the 
goats of either Cape Colony or the United States; indeed, the 
Turks themselves, by their shortsighted policy of extensive cross- 
breeding, have failed to maintain the high standard once held by 
their animals. That the altitude, the soil, or the climate, or all 
of them together possibly, had much influence in producing this 
fleece-bearing goat is supported by strong evidence, although there 
are some writers of note who claim that the character of the soil 




PACK TRAIN ON SKARIA RIVER. ASIA MINOR. 



exerts no distinctive influence. Dr. John Bachman, a well-known 
naturalist of this country and the Encyclopaedia Britannica both 
state that the fineness of the hair of the Angora goat may perhaps 
be ascribed to some peculiarity in the atmosphere, "for it is re- 
markable that the cats, dogs, sheep, and other animals of the 
country are to a certain extent affected in the same way as the 
goats." The same opinion was expressed by Captain Conolly, 
quoted by Southey (1848) : "It is remarkable that wherever these 
goats exist the cats and greyhounds have long, silky hair also — 
the cats all over their bodies, the greyhounds chiefly on their ears 
and tails." These statements lead Schreiner to the conclusion that 
the atmosphere is the chief factor. He says: "At any rate, there 
seems to be no doubt that a limited and comparatively well-defined 
region around the town of Angora possesses in a degree unap- 
proached elsewhere in Asia Minor, and probably in the world, 



18 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

those conditions favorable to the development of the soft, silky, 
lustrous white mohair goat." Too much credit must not be given 
to the atmosphere of Angora in the production of mohair. That 
it has a marked influence on animals anywhere is generally ac- 
cepted. The experience of the Angora goat breeders of the Cape 
Colony and the United States shows 'that, with the best animals, a 
fleece equal to any produced b}^ Turkey may be obtained. Indeed, 
it should be gratifying to the mohair growers to know that, while 
their mohair product of three years ago was very poor and that 
from twenty-five to fifty years ago it was sold with difficulty on 
account of its quality, the product now put upon the market is 
excellent and that of 1902 was superior, as a whole, to any that had 
been grown previously. George G. Emery, Avho is the leading 
.mohair expert in the United States, made the statement at the 
[third annual (1902) meeting of the American Angora Goat Breed- 
ers' Association that he had seen some domestic fleeces that were 
in every way equal to the best Turkish. He also exhibited two 
pieces of plush — one from domestic hair and one from Turkish — 
which were so nearly alike that no one could distinguish between 
them without reference to a private mark. Our breeders are 
^striving strenuously and intelligently toward a better quality of 
imbhair, and, in order to bring about this matter, they are eliminat- 
ling so far as possible the common goat blood. Turkey, indeed, 
greatly injured her fleeces by crossbreeding, but until quite recently 
our own practice of the same error led us to further extremes thai! 
Turkey went. Again, the breeders of our country have learned 
that the feed of the animal has a pronounced influence upon the 
quality of the mohair in the same way that it has an influence upon 
the meat. The matter of better mohair is discussed quite fully 
in the chapter on "Mohair and mohair manufactures." 

Crossing Upon tlie Kurd Cioat in Angora. 

Mr. Henry 0. Binns, who had about twenty years of experience 
with these goats in the vilayet of Angora, says the pure animals 
were about bred out in 1863. The reason for this was the exten- 
sive crossing with the common Kurd goat, reference to which has 
already been made. As early as 1839 there ceased to be a demand 
for the spun yarn of Asia Minor, owing to the fact that Europe 
could spin yarn at much less cost; but there was a European de- 
mand for the raw hair which exceeded the supply. This condition 
of things led to complications and a mixture of breeds from which 
the mohair world has not yet recovered. There can hardly remain 
a doubt, however, that, with the recent renewed interest in the 
industry, and with the intelligence that the breeders will bring to 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 19 

bear, the Angora goat industry will soon be placed on the highest 
plane. 

The Angora Goat in the United States. 

To write a history of the Angora goat in the United States 
is not a prodigious task, but it is a delicate one. The average 
newspaper correspondent of fifty years ago was no more careful 
of exact facts than he is now, and it is unfortunate that the his- 
torian of the Angora goat industry is largely dependent upon that 
kind of literature for his raw material. However, their introduc- 
tion into this country was not so long ago that we are wholly 
dependent upon newsjmper articles by unknown men, but there are 
those still living who have known the industry from the first day 
of its inception. Upon these men and upon the articles published 
by them and by Col. Eichard Peters, the present writer depends 
for his information. 

During the Administration of President Polk, the Sultan of 
Turkey requested of him that he recommend some one who would 
experiment in the culture of cotton in Turkey. Accordingly Dr. 
James B. Davis, of Columbia, S. C, was recommended, and he 
received the appointment. The work done by Doctor Davis ap- 
peared to be highly gratifying to the Sultan, and so, upon his 
return, in 1849, the Sultan, desiring to reciprocate the courtesy 
of the President, presented him with nine of the. choicest goats in 
his domain. 

These goats were imported as Cashmeres and were so regarded 
until after they passed to the ownership of Colonel Peters. Doctor 
Davis thought they were the goats which produced the fleece from 
which the famous and very costly Paisley shawls were made; and 
it is true that one of the number was a Tibet goat, which, in other 
words, means Cashmere, and was the breed producing the Paisley 
shawl fleece. As late as 1861 they were regarded as Cashmeres, 
for the records show that in that year William M. Landrum, who 
has been breeding Angoras longer than any other living man in 
this country, was awarded a silver goblet and $25 in cash for the 
introduction of the first Cashmeres (Angoras) into California. 

To the casual observer, the Cashmere and Angora were very 
much alike — indeed, may have appeared to be the same animal — 
but the essential points of the animals are so different that it is a 
matter of wonderment how they could be regarded as being one 
species under two names. These differences will appear in the 
chapter devoted to a description of the Angora goat. At the present 
time it is everywhere acknowledged that the goats imported by 
Doctor Davis and known as Cashmeres were Ansforas, and that the 



20 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

Tibet goat which he imported was a true Cashmere. That Doctor 
Davis really thought his goats were Cashmeres, no one will doubt 
for a moment, and at that time nearly everybody else who pre- 
tended to know anything about goats agreed with him. It was sub- 
sequent scientific investigation that finally adjusted the error. The 
situation as it existed when these goats were introduced, if con- 
sidered in connection with the situation as it exists to-day, does not 
justify a very few writers who hold to the idea that the goats 
originally imported were Cashmeres, and that subsequent methods 
of breeding here have transformed them into Angoras. 

The first (or Davis) importation of Angoras was frequently 
exhibited at fairs, and always attracted much attention. The 
reports made by the officials of fair associations were always favor- 
able, sometimes flattering, and as is known after years of experi- 
ence, not always correct. The United States Agricultural Society 
which held an exhibition in Philadelphia, in 1856, awarded to Col. 
Eichard Peters, who was then the owner of the Davis goats, $100 
as a special reward. The following report was made upon the ani- 
mals : "They have become known as Cashmere goats from the pure 
white color and fineness of their fleeces, and their undoubted 
Eastern origin. The fleeces from the bucks weigh 6 to 7 pounds, 
those from the ewes from 3 to 4 pounds. The flesh of the crosses 
is superior to most mutton, tender and delicious, making them a 
desirable acquisition to our food-producing animals. 

"The ease with which they are kept, living as they do on weeds, 
briers, browse, and other coarse herbage, fits them for many por- 
tions of our country, where sheep can not be sustained to advant- 
age, while their ability and disposition to defend themselves against 
dogs evidence a value peculiar to this race. They are free from 
all diseases to which sheep are liable, hardy and" prolific, and 
experience has proven that they readily adapt themselves to all 
portions of the United States. The bucks breed readily with the 
common goats, the second cross yielding a fleece of practical utility, 
whilst the fourth is but little inferior to that of the pure breed. 

"A flock of valuable wool-bearing goats can be raised in a few 
years by using grade bucks." 

The following extract is from a report of the special commit- 
tee appointed by the American Institute at i-j exhibition in New 
York City in 1855. The report was signed by B. J. Johnson, 
Charles J. Goodrich, and James J. Mapes : "They have examined 
with much interest the fleece submitted to them, and as well from 
their own observations as from the results of a microscopic exam- 
ination made and certified to by several gentlemen of scientific 
eminence well known to them, they are convinced that the fiber of 



22 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

these fleeces is identical in character, and fully equal, in value, to 
that from which the highly prized Cashmere shawls were made. 
The fleeces on exhibition, and now under examination, amount to 
from 4 to 8 pounds each. 

"The enterprise exhibited by the introduction of these animals 
into this country and their propagation can not be too highly 
regarded. 

"First. These animals are long lived, such being the case 
with the whole goat race. 

"Second. They are prolific, breeding at the age of one year, 
with a period of gestation of about five months, and yielding twins 
almost universally after the first birth. 

"Third. They are hardy, experience having shown that they 
will thrive well in our climate from Georgia to New England, and 
that they require coarse and cheap food — as the inferior grasses, 
briers, bushes, etc. — such as is refused by other grazing animals. 

"Fourth. They produce a fleece of from 4 to 8 pounds, valued 
at from $6 to $8 per pound in France, or Paisley, Scotland, for 
the manufacture of those high-priced shawls. These fleeces can 
be produced when the animals become numerous at a less cost than 
the common sheep's avooI and are superior to it. 

"Another fact of great practical value to our agricultural in- 
terests is the facility with which the Cashmere goats breed with 
the common goats of our country. 

"From these and other considerations, of the correctness of 
which your committee have entire confidence, it will be obvious 
that every encouragement should be shown this new enterprise — 
a bold and judicious movement." 

A committee composed of James Eenwick, Joseph E. Chilton, 
and W. H. Ellet submitted the following report to the New York 
State fair, held in New York City in 1854: "The undersigned 
can not avoid the conclusion that in the goats imported, and whose 
descendants have been the subjects of this examination, we have 
the first known specimens of that valuable race of animals from 
whose hairy fleece the celebrated shawls are manufactured, known 
in commerce by the inappropriate name of 'reel camel's hair.' As 
the fleece does not appear to have deteriorated in the compara- 
tively warm climate of South Carolina, the distinctive character 
of the race is hard to be obliterated, while in the northern region 
of the United States this character can not well fail to be perma- 
nent. Viewed in this light, the introduction of this animal prom- 
ises to be of more value to the agriculture of the United States 
than that of almost any other animal." 

Many other similar reports were made by committees of fair 



24 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

associations about this time, and they show how favorably the new 
industry was regarded. However, the conclusion can not be avoided 
that the highly exaggerated statements appearing in these reports 
added to the enthusiasm of the time. It is possible that a few 
fleeces sold at $8 per pound, but in a search for authority it is 
learned that one man quoted another and one newspaper quoted 
another, and so on, but the purchaser was never located. At one 
time this matter was in warm discussion in the agricultural press, 
and correspondents demanded to know who sold the fleece and who 
bought it, but their inquiries appear not to have been answered. 
The most definite statement possibly that can be made regarding 
this matter is by Mrs. Harriet E. Davis White, a daughter of 
Doctor Davis. She says: "The fleece of the Davis Cashmere 
goat was very fine, and some of it was sold to parties in Paisley 
for manufacturing their famous shawls; and a Germantown com- 
pany also bought some of the fleece and it brought $6 to $8 per 
pound. So the records state truly, though some have tried to dis- 
pute this fact. Owing to the lack of proper machinery, I presume, 
the fleece did not find a ready sale for several years. I saw some 
of the first fleece ever dyed and sent to Paisley." 

It willbe observed that Mrs. White refers in this quotation 
to the "Davis Cashmere goat," which has already been mentioned 
as among the original importation. No one can doubt the accuracy 
of her statement, because the marketable fiber of the Cashmere 
goat — the pashm — is exceedingly fine, only three or four ounces 
being the yield per goat, and the shawls made of it frequently sold 
for $1,500 each ; and it is easy to believe that this hair, which was 
worth $2 per pound in the most inaccessible portions of Thibet, 
and having a number of additional charges put upon it as it gravi- 
tated toward the manufacturing mills, would bring the amounts 
mentioned by Mrs. White. As there was at the time much con- 
fusion as to the exact breed of the goats, there was the same con- 
fusion regarding the fleece and the prices. There were then no 
mills in the country to fabricate the fleece, and not enough was 
produced for export to establish a standard. 

With reference to + he fleece of the Angora goat, the following 
is taken from the Country Gentleman of January 9, 1868 : "The 
conductors of that excellent Journal, the Boston Advertiser, ad- 
dressed Mr. Geo. W. Bond, the leading dealer in such material at 
Boston, for information, and in reply Mr. Bond expresses the 
opinion that if the Cashmere, or Angora, hair 'could be obtained 
here in sufficient quantities to warrant the starting of machinery 
suitable to its manufacture and could be offered at about $1 per 
pound, a steady and permanent demand for it would be created.' 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 25 

He says, however, that it is consumed by less than a dozen houses 
in Europe, and that, in fact, one firm consumes about one-third 
of the whole supply, and has agents in Turkey purchasing the 
same. Nearly the whole supply comes from Asia Minor, whence 
the exports for the past three years have averaged about 4,000,000 
pounds per annum. An inferior quality comes from South Africa. 
As to its value here, he adds : 'Of the specimens raised in this 
country which I have seen, some fleeces have been very handsome, 
but there has been a great want of uniformity in the various lots 
— some fleeces being very poor and kempy, probably being crosses 
on the common goat, while others were as handsome as any that I 
have ever seen from any quarter. The value in England has, I be- 
lieve, at no time exceeded 4s., or $1, per pound, unless it may have 
been for some exceptional parcels of great beauty and desired 
for some fancy manufacture in small quantities. The highest 
quotations in England to-day are 2s. 7d., or 62 cents, for the 
choicest quality down to 2s., or 48 cents, for good. * * * I 
doubt whether there ever was a time when 1,000 pounds of it could 
have been sold here for $1 in gold per pound; but a short time 
since, when fringes and tassels made of it became so fashionable, it 
is possible that a few of the choicest and most beautiful fleeces 
might have been sold at $4 and $6 per pound.' " 

A tabular statement of prices of mohair in England may be 
found in the chapter devoted to prices. 

Doctor Davis remained in the goat business but a few years, 
and his flock was disposed of to various persons. The world will 
probably never know just who all the parties were that secured 
them. An error has heretofore been made in writings of several 
persons— the present author among the number — in stating that 
the Davis flock of "purebreds" was purchased by Colonel Peters . 
But information recently coming to light corrects this error to 
some extent. A. O. Osborn, of Waterville, N. Y., published an 
article in the Country Gentleman of January 21, 1864, from 
which the following is extracted: "In the fall of 1854, Dr. D. C. 
Ambler, Col. William Osborn, and myself purchased of James B. 
Davis, Esq., of Columbia, S. C, three 'Cashmere goats' — one 
yearling buck, one yearling ewe, full blood, and one yearling half- 
breed — with the view of breeding for profit.*' 

Colonel Peters published an article in the American Agricul- 
turist for November, 1876, in which he said: "In the year 1854 
I visited the farm of Doctor Davis, near Columbia, S. C, and 
found his stock of purebreds to consist of seven females and two 
males. Besides these he had one purebred Tibet ewe, several head 
of one-half Tibet and one-half Angora, and quite a number of 



26 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

grade females bred from the common short-haired ewes of the 
country and his Angora buck. I purchased all of the purebred 
Angoras and several of the Tibet-Angoras." What Colonel Peters 
has said can hardly be doubted, although the following statement 
to the author by Mrs. Harriet E. Davis White apparently disputes 
its accuracy: "Doctor Davis had bred the Cashmeres with the 
common goats and had a fine flock of graded goats when Colonel 
Peters visited him to purchase goats from him. They discussed 
the value of the fleece and Colonel Summer said it would prove 
equal to the 'golden fleece' in a commercial way, in time. All of 
the purebred goats were not sold to Colonel Peters. Doctor Davis 
retained an interest which he did not dispose of to Colonel Peters 
until Doctor Davis's health began to fail ; and Col. A. G. Summer 
also held an interest in them. Coats had been sold to other men 
before this sale to Colonel Peters. The original contract between 
Kicharcl Peters, A. G. Summer, and Jas. B. Davis is still in the 
possession of his daughter'-' (Mrs. White). 

The contradictions which stand out in the three quotations 
above are probably apparent only. It is easy to believe that the 
goats referred to by Mr. Osborn were purchased before Colonel 
Peters purchased any and are probably the ones referred to by 
Mrs. White as having been sold before the purchase by Colonel 
Peters. 

We have a statement of record that one was purchased by Col- 
onel Davenport, who lived near Harpers Ferry, and another by Col. 
Wade Hampton, of South Carolina. A. 0. Osborn, in the same 
article from which he is quoted above, refers to his venture into the 
industry in this way: "In October I left home for Australia. 
Doctor Ambler, in the meantime and before winter, found a place 
for the ewes with a few owned by Colonel Davenport, near Har- 
pers Ferry, Va., and thither they were sent. They remained with 
Colonel Davenport's flock until 1859, when they and their increase 
were exchanged with.Eichard Peters, Esq., of Atlanta, Ga., who 
had purchased most of Doctor Davis's flock, for Brahmin cattle." 

One fact stands out prominently in the early history of the 
Angora goat industry in this country, namely, that previous to 
the outbreak of the Eebellion practically all of the x4ngora goats 
had passed to the ownership of Col. Richard Peters, of Atlanta, Ga. 
He took great interest in the little animal and its possibilities and 
is generally looked upon as the real founder of the industry in 
the United States. When we reflect that there was no real Angora 
goat industry in this country until within the last three years, 
we must reckon with others as well as Colonel Peters. Credit must 
first be given to Doctor Davis for his public spiritedness ; and 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 27 

whether his goats came from Persia, as he believed, or from Angora, 
there can be no doubt that they were the equal of any that ever 
came to this country, with many evidences of superiority. Full 
credit is due to Colonel Peters, who gathered together the rem- 
nants of the Davis flock and distributed their progeny over a large 
area of our country, and preserved a nucleus of the flock when 
the industry appeared to result elsewhere in failure. The outbreak 
of the Eebellion played havoc with the industry, with the final 
result that the flocks in the Eastern and Southern sections of our 
country were annihilated, with the exception of a very few in 
isolated localities. Some goats, however, had previously been 
sent into California, and from that State had spread back into 
Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, and north into Oregon. The 
Western men who adopted the industry and finally saved it to 
the country were William M. Landrum, C. P. Bailey, and John 
S. Harris. It is no less gratifying to these men than it is to the 
thousands of goat breeders now in the United States, who delight 
in honoring them, that they still live to see the work of their 
earlier years now being crowned with abundant success. 

Thus we have had three stages in the establishment of the An- 
gora goat industry. Each of them has been all-important in its 
day, and all credit can not, therefore, be given to any one man. 

Previous to the outbreak of the Eebellion, there were many 
fair-sized flocks in the South and Southwest. There were smaller 
flocks in many of the Northern and Western States. Dr. Diehl, 
in 1863, mentions flocks containing from 300 to 1,200 and more 
in Atlanta, Ga. ; Gallatin and Nashville, Tenn. ; Eussellville, 
Frankfort, Paris, and Georgetown, Ky. ; Greenville, Lebanon, 
Montgomery, and Bucyrus, Ohio ; Green County, Ind. ; Chicago, 
Decatur, and Evanston, 111. ; St. Louis, Maramee, and Fayette, 
Mo. ; Baltimore, Md. ; Leavenworth, Ivans. ; Brownsville, Pittsburg, 
Washington, and Philadelphia, Pa.'; New York City, N. Y.; Bos- 
ton and Belmont, Mass. ; Austin, Tex. ; and in the States of Iowa, 
Michigan, Minnesota, California, and in other localities. Soon 
after the close of the war they spread out into the West, principally 
into Texas and California, where the natural conditions were most 
favorable and where they have, quite unknown to the public, in- 
creased wonderfully in numbers and, in the light of recent events, 
in importance also. 

In the spring of 1861 Colonel Peters sold two 16-months-old 
bucks to William M. Landrum, of San Joaquin County, Cal. They 
were sent from Atlanta to St. Louis by express; thence by steamer 
to Fort Leavenworth, and thence on foot to California with a 
wagon train. They subsisted on the journey by browsing on what 



28 ANGORA GOAT RAISING- 

other animals rejected, and arrived at their "destination uninjured 
and in good condition. Mr. Landrum exhibited them at the State 
fair the same year, being awarded a silver goblet and $25 in cash. 
One of the goats, after siring about thirty kids, died of snake bite; 
the other one, famous on the Pacific coast under the name of 
"Billy Atlanta," lived to be ten years old, and then was accident- 
ally killed. He had sired about two thousand kids. This buck won 
the sweepstakes prize over all competitors at every State fair down 
to his death; and Colonel Peters stated in 1876 that his numerous 
descendants were scattered all along the Pacific coast, and that 
"his blood courses in the veins of over one-half the Angora flocks 
in that part of the Union, estimated to approximate 70,000." 
Colonel Peters further stated "that about one-third of the pure- 
breds introduced into California were contributed from the first 
and original (Davis) importations of 1849, and that their blood 
is present in probably two-thirds or three-fourths of the Angora 
stock on the Pacific coast." 

Mr. Landrum was in California from 1850 to 1883, after which 
time he went to Texas. He is now at Laguna, Tex. 

There have been from time to time various other importations 
of Angoras from Turkey and South Africa, which will be discussed 
in a chapter to follow. These were widely disseminated and the 
blood of most of them has been exceedingly beneficial to the in- 
dustry in this country. 

During the last two or three years a wonderful interest has 
been manifested in the Angora goat. The one great factor which 
brought this about was the information which was published and 
widely disseminated by the Bureau of Animal Industry. The 
large flocks of the West and Southwest have been divided up and 
distributed throughout the country. They may now be found in 
every State and Territory, including Alaska, and a few head are in 
Porto Eico. A considerable number are in Canada, where they 
are thriving well. Five years ago very few people, comparatively, 
had ever seen a goat of this breed, but now the Angora is a familiar 
sight in hundreds of localities. 

There are three principal reasons for the present interest in 
the industry, which are as follows: (1) They are very effective 
brushwood destroyers; (2) they are mohair producers; (3) they 
yield a carcass that is palatable and highly nutritious. There is 
a chapter devoted in this work to each of those phases of the 
industry, and therefore further discussion will not be entered 
upon here. 

A history of the goats themselves is not a complete history of 
the industry. One of the reasons why the industry did not become 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 29 

a brilliant success from the first was because there was in this coun- 
try no mills for fabricating the fleece which was produced, and the 
fleeces that were produced were not good enough for exporting. 
G-oat raisers began to reap profits when mills were established here, 
and therefore the mohair manufacturer and the Angora goat raiser 
have conjointly established a great industry which is destined to 
fill a large place in the live stock industry of the United States. 



CHAPTER IL 

DESCRIPTION OF THE ANGORA GOAT. 
Puretoreds Ruined toy Crossing with Kurd Goat. 

Before proceeding with a description of the Angora goat, it is 
well to advert to a bit of history in connection with the mohair 
industry of Asia Minor. In 1867, when Israel S. Diehl, bearing a 
commission from the United States Commissioner of Agriculture, 
visited the province of Angora, he found but a few hundred looms 
working up mohair fleeces where once there were from 1,700 to 
1,800 in operation. These few were struggling hopelessly against 
the fatal competition of European machinery and the aggressive 
policy of the European governments. The fleeces were exported 
to Europe for fabrication, thus rendering Turkey tributary to 
the monopoly then existing in this industry in Europe. The 
European demand for the raw material was so great and the 
facilities for fabricating it so much better and cheaper, that Turkey 
was compelled by the laws of trade to export the raw mohair. This 
is an instance where the prosperity of an industry almost proved 
to be its ruin, as we shall see. In order to meet this great European 
demand for raw material, the Turkish mohair growers, without 
wise foresight, began the practice of crossing the Angora upon 
the Kurd goat of that country. The inevitable result of such a 
practice was the adulteration of the blood of every Angora in Asia 
Minor so far as anyone knows or can judge by investigation at this 
time. 

Description oi a Purebred Angora Goat. 

This ruinous practice has left the world without a purebred 
Angora goat apparently. There does not even appear to be a record 
anywhere of a description of a purebred animal, except the very 
brief one of Henry 0. Binns, who spent twenty years in the mohair 
districts of Asia Minor between 1864 and 1886, and copied here- 
with: "The pure Angora in his prime is about the size of a five- 
months-old Cape (Cape of Good Hope) kid, with small thin horns, 
wooled all over the body, the hair almost covering the eyes; 
exceedingly delicate, and so subject to disease that no one cared to 
keep him. What is to-day called the purebred Angora is like the 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 31 

English thoroughbred horse — the result of crossing and recrossing 
until body, class, points, etc., have attained to what is generally 
considered that the thoroughbred Angora ought to be." 

Schreiner's opinion of what a purebred Angora was, is as 
follows: "I think it is certain that the original purebred white 
mohair goat was a small, very refined, delicate animal, of great 
beauty, clipping at twelve-months' growth of fleece, about from 2 
to 4 pounds (according to age and sex — kids considerably less), of 
dazzling white, fine, soft, silky, very lustrous mohair, curling in 
ringlets from 10 to IS inches long, with merely the minimum of 
oil in its fleece requisite to the growth of hair of the highest ex- 
cellence, so small in amount as to be inappreciable to the unskilled 
observer. It was perfectly clothed in every part ; it had short, silky, 
curly hair about the face and down the lower parts of the legs to 
the hoofs; a soft, silky, curly 'kuif (tuft on the forehead), and 
small, thin, light-colored horns. The ewe was of course smaller 
and finer than the ram, and had only one kid at a birth (of this 
there is abundant evidence)." 

Dr. John Bachman, a well-known naturalist, gives this brief 
description: "The Angora goat, more especially the varieties it 
has produced, is described by Hasselquist (1722-1752), Buff on 
(1707-1788), Pennant (1726-1798), and others as in general of a 
beautiful milk-white color, with short legs, and black, spreading 
spirally twisted horns. The hair on the whole body is disposed 
in long pendant spiral ringlets ; its ears are pendulous, and the 
horns of the female, instead of divaricating as in the male, turn 
backward, and are much shorter in proportion." 

Description of the Modern Angora Goat. 

The facts stated in the above paragraph make it apparent that 
a description of the Angora goat of to-day would not necessarily 
apply to the purebred Angora of fifty or seventy-five years ago. 
As no effort has been made by an association or body of goat 
breeders to adopt a description of our ideal Angora goat, any de- 
scription that may be made is largely a matter of the individual 
opinion of the one who makes it. However, there is singular 
unanimity among goat breeders as to what the best Angora 
should be. 

The Angora goat is smaller than the ordinary common goat. 
It weighs from 60 to 100 pounds, although some are frequently 
found that weigh considerably more, especially if fat. The back 
should be straight, with shoulders and hips of equal height. A 
sloping rump is very objectionable. The chest should be broad, 
indicating good constitution, and the body round, legs short and 



32 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

strong. The head should not droop, but be clean cut, with bright 
eye and broad muzzle; avoid a pinched nostril. The horns are 
grayish — never black; in the buck they are heavy, with an inward 
twist, inclining backward and to the outside. The doe's horns 
rise immediately upward and backward, slightly outward, with 
very little inclination to twist. In most animals the ears are 
pendant and from 6 to 8 inches long, with an average width of 
about 2 inches, and well pointed. In some animals the ears are 
fox-like — short, pointed, and pricked. There appears to be no 
other differences between the goats having the different kinds 
of ears. 

The fleece of the animal should be pure white, although there 
are colored Angoras. No colored spots on the skin should be tol- 
erated. The fleece should cover the entire body — as dense on the 
belly and neck as on the back and sides; should extend to the 
ears and jaw. While some are breeding for the topknot and for 
mohair on the face and lower legs, this is not an evidence that the 
animal is better than another that may not have the head and face 
covered. The mohair should grow to the length of about 10 inches 
during a year, and hang in tight ringlets or wavy curls. The 
curl should extend entirely up to the skin. "Slipey" mohair, or 
that which has lost its curl and is dry, fluffy, and with but little 
luster, is an indication of a poor goat or one in poor health. Poor 
feed tends to bring about such a condition in the fleece. 

Are tliere Nonshedding Goats? 

Yes; there are Angoras which do not shed — a very few; there 
are more which shed at regular intervals of 2 or 3 years. There 
is no evidence, however, that these animals are a distinct strain of 
the breed; the fact that they do not shed is probably due to local 
conditions, such as their health or their care. 

Hornless Angoras. 

There are a few hornless Angoras, but not many. They seem, 
like the nonshedders above, to be accidents rather than a distinctive 
type, or strain. Colonel Black says he has no doubt that the horn- 
less goats are a "distinct breed." It is probably true that by proper 
selection in breeding a hornless type might be produced. Efforts 
in this direction are already being made with a flock in which 
Colonel Black is interested. Hornless Angoras, however, are not 
rare in Asia Minor. 

Absence of 111 Odor. 

A characteristic of ^he common goat that is very objectionable 
is the ever-present offensive odor from the bucks. In the Angora 




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34 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

breed, this odor is entirely wanting, except with the bucks at the 
rutting season, and then in a slight degree only. The odor of 
the mohair is milder than that of a wool fleece, and it is not at 
all offensive. 

Description of the Cashmere tiosit. 

Although it has already been shown that the Angora is not 
the same breed as the Cashmere goat, it is well, since they were so 
long considered the same breed in this country, to describe the 
Cashmere. 

The differences between these two breeds are so pronounced, 
especially in the matter of the fleece, that it is a matter of wonder 
that anyone ever considered them to be the same animal. The 
Angora has a long outward silky covering, with a second coat of 
shorter hair of different quality, and very sparse in quantity as 
comp'arecl with the longer covering, which is the mohair. The, mo- 
hair, or outer covering, is the desirable part of the fleece, while the 
other part, technically known as kemp, is the undesirable and 
injurious part. The fleece weighs about 3 pounds, and is removed 
by means of shears in the same manner that sheep are sheared. 
The Cashmere also has two coats — the outer and longer and 
coarser, being of no economic use and therefore not sheared; the 
other is a very fine down-like substance called "pashm." The 
product of pashm per goat is from 3 to 4 ounces annually, and it 
is removed by combing. In the Vale of Cashmere and in Tibet, 
where many of these goats run wild, the natives gather the pashm 
from the twigs of bushes and points of rocks where the goats have 
rubbed it loose at shedding time. 

The Angora sheds its entire fleece annually, while the Cash- 
mere sheds its undercoat only. The value of the mohair ranges 
from 25 cents to 40 cents per pound. For pashm there appears to 
be no stable market, but it usually brings at the manufacturer's 
from $4 to $7 a pound. A writer in the Penny Magazine (London) 
in 1838 says: "The wool is first combed from the animal in the 
mountains of Tibet, where it is sold for nearly 5 shillings a pound. 
It is packed in baskets and sent to Cashmere where it pays a duty 
on entry. It is there bleached with rice flour, spun into threads, 
and taken to the bazaar, where another tax is paid upon it. The 
thread is then dyed, the shawl is woven, and the border sewed on." 
This is the material from which the famous Paisley shawls were 
made. Mohair was never used for this purpose except as an 
adulterant. 

Mr. Diehl's description of the Cashmere follows : "This variety 
of the wool-bearing or shawl goat, as it is often called, is spread 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 35 

over Tibet, Northern India, and the regions to the east of the Cas- 
pian Sea. It is somewhat smaller than the common and Angora 
goat. It has straight, round, pointed horns, pendant ears, is 
covered with straight and falling long, fine, flat, silky hair, with an 
undercoat in winter of a delicate greenish wool, of but 2 to 3 
ounces each, which latter alone constitutes the fabric from which 
the celebrated shawls are made. Ten goats furnish only enough 
for a shawl \ x / 2 yards square; but this is often found differing both 
in color and the quality of the wool, or rather the fine hair, of 
which the fleece is composed. The principal points in the most 
approved breeds are large ears, the limbs slender and cleanly 
formed, the horns not spirally twisted, and, above all, the fleece 
being long, straight, fleec}^ and white." 



CHAPTER IE. 

IMPORTERS AND IMPORTATIONS. 
rise Davis Importation. 

Mention has already been made of the fact that the first im- 
portation of Angora goats into the United States was made by 
Dr. James B. Davis, of Columbia, S. C. These came to this country 
under the name of Cashmeres and they bore that name for several 
years afterward. The exact number of this importation is a 
matter of doubt, since Mrs. White, a daughter of Doctor Davis, 
states that there were ten of them. Col. Richard Peters says there 
were nine; Col. Win. L. Black, author of "A New Industry" (An- 
gora goat), says there were nine, but two were kids. Schreiner, 
in "The Angora Goat," says nine. Whether nine or ten, it makes 
little difference at this time except so far as it is desirable to 
make historical records accurate. Among the number which left 
Asia Minor was a Tibet buck and doe (true Cashmeres), but the 
buck died during the voyage. The doe was crossed with Angora 
bucks, but the progeny, according to the observation and experience 
of Colonel Peters, were unable to withstand the climate and all 
soon died. 

All attempts to get goats out of the interior of Asia Minor 
have met with great difficulty. While Doctor Davis did not him- 
self make the journey in search of those he brought home with 
him, his agent appears to have met with many obstacles. The 
Country Gentleman for 1856 contains an article by one Richard 
Allen, of Tennessee, from which the following is taken : "While 
there he [Doctor Davis] determined to procure the goat from its 
native wilds. The story of the journey would be too tedious for 
my brief letter, and I will merely add that, with an expensive out- 
fit at Constantinople, a perilous journey of months, and the loss 
of many men and camels, he succeeded in capturing and carrying 
away eleven of the famous animals, whose fleeces, in the shape of 
shawls, are so highly prized and coveted by the ladies of all civil- 
ized nations and for which prices almost startling have been paid 
by the wealthy." In the light of later efforts to obtain goats from 
Asia Minor, we may easily believe the story recited above; in the 
light of history and later experience, however, it is now known that 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 3"J 

the remarks concerning the value of the fleece did not apply to 
the animals which had been secured. 

An account of how Doctor Davis obtained these animals, as 
furnished the author by Mrs. White, will prove interesting, and is 
as follows : . "Doctor James B. Davis, hearing from Bishop South- 
gate, who had been in Persia as a missionary of the Episcopal 
church, of these silken-fleeced goats, realized their value and the 
importance of introducing them into his own country. He sent 
a trusty messenger to a native friend of Bishop Southgate, to whom 
a letter was written explaining the wish of Doctor Davis to obtain 
Cashmere goats of the purest blood; and, being familiar with 
the country and with the breed of goats that were desired, he pur- 
chased for Doctor Davis ten pure-blood Cashmere goats and one 
pair of Tibet shawl goats. Whether these were the genuine 
Cashmere, as Doctor Davis believed, or not, there has certainly 
never been any importation of goats made subsequent to this one 
that has equaled the Cashmeres purchased in Persia by this native 
Persian for Doctor Davis and by him imported into the United 
States. The messenger sent by Doctor Davis was absent several 
months, and the Doctor thought the effort to purchase these goats 
was a failure. Finally the messenger returned with the goats. 
These were brought to the model cotton farm furnished Doctor 
Davis by the Sultan of Turkey for experimenting in the raising 
of cotton in Turkey. The ten Cashmere goats lived, but one of the 
Tibet shawl goats died, and only the ewe goat was brought to the 
United States. The goats were brought down from the mountains 
to Dr. Davis on the farm near San Stefano on camels driven by 
the usual camel drivers." 

The Chenery Importations. 

Winthrop W. Chenery, of Belmont, near Boston, is generally 
credited with the second importation and also with the third. 
However, W. G. Hughes furnished Schreiner with information 
that in 1856 or 1857 the second importation was by Eichard Peters 
and C. S. Brown, and the number of animals was "six or eight." 
Colonel Black 1 says of the Chenery importation, upon the authority 
of Wm. M. Landrum: "The second importation was made by 
Mr. W. W. Chenery, of Boston, Mass., about the year 1861, which 
consisted of twenty head, but they were affected with the Asiatic 
scab, and all died." 

The following remarks on two importations, both by Chenery, 
were published in the latter part of 1862 in the Massachusetts 

1 A New Industry, p. 48. 



38 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

Ploughman : "Two importations of these beautiful, animals, pur- 
chased in Constantinople and consigned to planters in the South, 
have been landed upon the inhospitable shores of Massachusetts, 
where they still remain to illustrate, under the fostering care of 
one of our most experienced importers and breeders of stock, their 
capacity for acclimation in that latitude and their commercial 
value to the farmer and the manufacturer. The importations of 
the Angora, or Cashmere, goats to which we refer are at the High- 
land Stock Farm of Winthrop W. Chenery, of Belmont, near 
Boston. 

"The first of the two lots, consisting of thirty-nine animals in 
Mr. Chenery' s hands, was shipped at Constantinople on the 26th 
of March, 1861, and arrived at Boston on the 15th of May, except 
two animals which died on the passage. They remained in Boston 
until the 24th, during which time they were sheared, and were then 
taken to Mr. Chenery's farm. They were turned to pasture in the 
daytime and carefully housed at night. 

"The second lot, consisting of forty-one head, left Constanti- 
nople on the 6th of October, 1861, in the same vessel, and arrived 
here on the 25th of November with the loss of only one upon the 
passage. 

"In the whole flock, eighty in all, there were about a dozen 
males, and all the animals wintered well. The flock was increased 
by the addition of sixteen kids in the spring, but, in consequence 
of night exposure after shearing through the ignorance or care- 
lessness of the man who had the care of them, the animals suf- 
fered much and twenty-four died." 

Mr. Landrum is authority for the statement that Mr. Chenery 
made a further shipment of twenty head in 1866 and still another 
of twenty head in 1867; and that about thirty only of the forty 
arrived alive. 

Tlie Brewer Importation. 

This was an importation of real Cashmeres rather than An- 
goras, or so-called Cashmeres, and is mentioned here only as an 
item interwoven with the early history of Angora importations. 
There were nine in the lot. They were purchased of a captain of 
a vessel from the Mediterranean. A previous arrangement was 
probably made with the captain of this vessel, as one George Trow- 
bridge, a friend of Brewer, says that the latter gentleman imported 
them from Turkey. In 1859 Colonel Peters purchased out of this 
flock "a purebred male Tibet goat and three females having the 
appearance of being half Tibet, half Angora," as he himself 
states. 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 39 

The Stiles Importation. 

The Country Gentleman of 1860 gives a very brief account of 
the importation of eight Angoras, which at the time were said to 
be the first to arrive after the Davis importation. It is said that 
they had been brought about a thousand miles inland and shipped 
from Smyrna. The exact date of their arrival has not been fixed. 
No records have come to light giving any date, but the nearest is 
the notice in the Country Gentleman for January 29, 1860, which 
says "recently." Schreiner does not mention the importation, 
neither does Landrum, and Black, quoting from a letter by J. 
Washington Watts, who was for many years a goat breeder, and 
a personal friend of Doctor Davis, and who still lives, says they 
came "just before the war." Mr. Watts purchased a doe out of 
this importation. He said these goats were "larger and stouter 
than the Davis goats, but inferior in fleece." 

The Diehl and Brown Importation. 

An importation was made by Israel S. Diehl, who had been 
United States consul at Batavia, and Charles S. Brown, of New- 
ark, N. J. It is difficult to fix the exact date of the coming of 
these goats, but it was probably during the year 1867. It could 
not have been later, for the Country Gentleman for December 12, 
1867, says: "One hundred and sixty of these goats, purchased in 
Asiatic Turkey by Mr. Israel S. Diehl, recently arrived in this 
county, and have been placed on the farm of Mr. C. S. Brown, of 
Newark, N. J. Mr. Diehl was commissioned by the United States 
Agricultural Department last April to visit the Angora country 
and obtain all possible information regarding the goats, the best 
method of raising them, etc." 

Mr. C. P. Bailey furnished the money for the transportation 
of these goats to California with the understanding that he should 
have the first choice at their sale. He says of them: "Some of 
these goats were fairly good and some were only ordinary. They 
were conceded to be the best imported up to that time. They were 
of medium size, and, with the exception of the neck, tolerably well 
covered with fleece, which, however, had a scattering of kemp 
throughout." 

The Eutichides Importation. 

There is nothing at hand to show the exact date of arrival of 
this importation. Landrum says they came in 1871 and Schrenier 
says 1870. Landrum says "about one hundred were landed" out 
of two hundred shipped from Turkey. Schreiner says one hundred 
and seventy-five were shipped. The records all state that many 



40 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

that were shipped died of Asiatic scab during the voyage and many 
others after their arrival here. 

A. Eutichides was a native Turk, and the goats he imported 
were from his father's flock. The animals which survived the dis- 
ease were poor grades and failed to bring the prices that he ex- 
pected to get. Whatever the number may have been in this im- 
portation, there is evidence of record that they were kept for a 
time at Owings Mills, McL, near Baltimore. This statement 
appears in an article published in the Country Gentleman of Feb- 
ruary 4, 1875, signed by the initials "M. S. C." This writer says 
he purchased two of these goats, paying $125 each for them. He 
gives more of his experience, as follows: "Soon after I had pur- 
chased my pair of goats, Mr. Eutichides proposed that I should take 
his whole imported flock to keep on my farm on shares. We came 
to an agreement, and the whole flock numbering, I think, about 
one hundred and seventy-two head, was brought here [Eapidan 
Station, Va.] in midsummer, looking very badly." This move- 
ment was attended by all manner of misfortunes, which was prob- 
ably due to the Asiatic scab already mentioned, and the corre- 
spondent requested Mr. Eutichides to take them away. This he 
did, taking them to a farm owned by himself in Appomattox, Va. 
Here they probably remained until their shipment to California, 
where they were sold at auction at disastrous prices. Eutichides 
became discouraged and soon after returned to Thessaly to engage 
in farming. 

The Harris and SEall Importation. 

On April 16, 1875, John S. Harris, a jolly Scotchman who 
still lives to encourage the hundreds of beginners in the Angora 
goat industry, started from his borne at Hollister, Cal., and trav- 
eled via Yokahama, Hongkong, Singapore, and Calcutta on his 
way to Tibet with the purpose in view of purchasing goats for his 
California farm. Landing in China, it was his purpose to proceed 
to Tibet overland. This, hoAvever, he found impracticable, and, 
going to Calcutta, he went through India to the Cashmere dis- 
trict to inspect the famous Cashmere goats of that country. The 
home of the Cashmere goat, he found, is in the Himalaya Moun- 
tains, 22,000 feet above the level of the sea, in a region of eternal 
snows. Knowing that these could not be profitably acclimatized 
in California, he concluded to go to Angora, in Asia Minor, but 
could not proceed overland on account of war, nor by the way of 
the Persian Gulf because of the unsettled state of the country. He 
therefore returned to Calcutta and went by way of Ceylon, Indian 
Ocean Keel Sea, and Suez Canal to Port Said, over the Taurus 




JOHN S. HARRIS, SALEM, OREGON. 



42 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

Mountains. He was twenty-one days in crossing these mountains, 
and suffered severely from intense cold, snows, etc., with no other 
food than black bread and a kind of molasses. Arriving in An- 
gora, he purchased two bucks and ten does. With these he started 
for the coast. His precious goats were slung in boxes on donkeys, 
and mules were taken along to carry provender and baggage. He 
endeavored to reach Smyrna, but, after floundering in the moun- 
tains several days, he Avas compelled to return to Angora. Thence 
he turned north to Ismid, where he took a train for Constantinople. 
His next stop was at Liverpool, where the goats attracted much 
attention. They arrived at Baltimore on March 23, 1876. The 
goats were all yearlings, and they cost the importers $525 each, 
landed at Baltimore. 

Mr. Harris was the second person from the United States to 
go into the interior of Asia Minor to purchase goats, Israel S. 
Diehl being the first. Few people have realized the difficulties and 
real dangers which Mr. Harris encountered, especially in India. 
He everywhere received the cordial support of the English officers 
there, but they all recognized the danger of his going into the 
valley of the Cashmere without a knowledge of the language. An 
illustration of this fact is shown in two out of several official let- 
ters which were written in his interest: 

Lahore, Sept. 9, 1875. 
My Dear Jenkins. 

I give this to a very intelligent man, named John S. Harris, who 
has come all' the way from California to get a dozen Cashmere buck 
goats to improve his stock in his former country. 

Considering the man knowing nothing of the language, I think it 
shows he is a very sporting character to come so far on such a 
speculation and deserves every assistance. 

The man is game to go into Cashmere to buy the goats himself, but 
he has only a month left before he must leavo the valley again. I 
have advised him to go and see you, as I have no doubt you will 
admire the fellow's pluck and do all you can to help him, or if you 
send a man up to Jummoo, either with him or alone, you could get 
from the Maharajah's people the goats. He has money to pay. It is 
really a very enterprising thing and you are just the man to appre- 
ciate and encourage it, so I do not hesitate to ask you to help him. 

Best regards. Yours sincerely, 

M. Henry Nesbet. 

[Postoffice illegible.] 
Sept. 11, 1875. 
My Dear Henderson: 

1 can not arrange better than by letting Mr. Harris go through by 
the Jummoo route. He seems a man who, from what Nesbet says, 
should be encouraged, and in this I agree; yet to let him go in by the 
Jummoo route, gritty as he is, without knowing a word of the language, 
would be madness. 

I am rather surprised, to tell you the truth, at Nesbet sending him 
on ahead, as I could not get him passed on earlier by the Jummoo 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 43 

route, as there will be a difficulty about supplies, etc. He has arrived 
here without a servant and there are [none] I could get here whom I 
could trust him with. He does not know a word of the language. 

I have tneretore recommended him to go in by Murree, where he 
will have a cnance of getting a servant, etc. 

For this purpose I give him this letter, open, so that — may 

read it and help him on with a letter to the Cashmere post. He tells 
me that he wants to go into Cashmere to get the goats himself, as he 
wants to see how they are kept, fed and cared for. I dare say I could 
get him the goats through the Jummoo people, but this does not seem 
to suit him. Please afford him every aid in your power, and oblige, 

Yours sincerely, 

C. Jenkins. 

It is interesting to note in connection with this account that 
Mr. Harris was the first person to send a cable dispatch from An- 
gora to the United States. He was given a receipt for the cost of 
the dispatch and it is now in his possession. On the back of the 
telegram, over the signature of the British Consular Agent at An- 
gora, is a statement of the fact just mentioned. 

The IPeters, or Jenks, Importation. 

This is another importation for which no definite date has 
been fixed. Landrum says they came in 1873, but this is probably 
an error of typography. Schreiner gives the year as 1879, which 
may be correct, but there is room for doubt. A daily paper of 
Boston, dated January 31, 1880, gives an account of the arrival of 
the goats on the steamer Dorian, from Constantinople direct. The 
evidence therefore is that they arrived about the latter part of 
January, 1880. They were imported by C. W. Jenks, of Boston, 
for Colonel Peters. The daily paper referred to says of them: 
"They were brought some hundreds of miles on mule back to the 
coast from the province of Geredeh, in the interior of Asia Minor. 
The Angoras heretofore received in this country have been from 
provinces near the coast, and are smaller, with fleeces of four, five 
and six pounds. The Gerecleh breed is larger, with fleeces of eight, 
ten, twelve, and, in some cases, fifteen, pounds weight of mohair, 
very fine and silky." 

The number in this lot was three. Colonel Peters did not 
hesitate to say that their mohair was inferior to that of the goats 
from Angora. It was an unsatisfactory importation. 

Fink & Company Importation. 

This was an importation of four animals — two bucks and two 
does — from Delagoa Bay. They arrived at New York on August 
13, 1886, on the steamship Lydian Monarch, consigned to E. A. 
Shults, and were for Fink & Company, of Leon Springs, Tex. 



44 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

They were the first goats to come to us from South Africa, and 
seem to have been a very poor lot. So little has been heard of them 
that many goat raisers have doubted that there ever was such an 
importation; but there are sufficient records to show that the 
goats arrived as stated above. Schreiner mentions the same ship- 
ment, and says that they came from the farm of J. B. Evans, of 
C-raaff Reinet. He also says they were reported as being "a fine 
lot." 

Tlie C. P. Bailey & Sons Company Importation. 

With the exception of Fink & Company, this firm is the only 
one that has imported goats from South Africa. In 1893 they 
purchased from R. Cawood, Ganna Hock, Cradock, South Africa, 
two bucks and placed them with their flock at San Jose, Cal. These 
animals were selected for points, and their blood has greatly bene- 
fited the Bailey stock. 

In 1899 they imported another buck from South Africa. One 
of the points they particularly desired in this new buck was an 
increased amount of oil in the hair and he proved to have a very 
oily fleece — more oily than they would wish in their own flocks — 
but the offspring have, in their estimation, exactly the amount of 
oil desired. 

The last importation of this firm, and the last one that has come 
from any foreign land, was in 1901. Willard C. Bailey personally 
visited every goat raising section of Asia Minor in the latter part 
of 1900 and the early months of 1901, and in Angora vilayet pur- 
chased four animals for export. Notwithstanding the decree of the 
Sultan of 1881 that no further export of Angora goats should be 
permitted, Dr. Bailey succeeded, by some sort of means, in getting 
out with four animals. He states that the Turkish government 
threw every possible inconvenience in his way, yet he carried with 
him an honorary commission from the United States Department 
of Agriculture. The goats duly arrived at the Bailey farm in 
California in good condition, after a long journey, and are pro- 
nounced excellent individuals. 

Dr. Bailey's notes of his search for goats through Asia Minor — 
notes on the people, their customs and habits, their agriculture, 
their animals, etc. — are very interesting. With reference to his 
difficulty in getting the goats out of the country, he says: "A 
ride on mule back, then on camels ; a trip in a closed carriage ; 
then to be tightly packed in a sack and carried for miles on a man's 
back; next to be given a hay ride on the Bosphorous (under a boat 
load of loose hay) ; to be shorn in cold weather and run through 
coal dust, only to look the death ax in the face, but to lie saved 




DR. W. C. BAILEY. 



46 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

by the 'golden wand' ; through the streets of the oriental capital in 
an open wagon, but looking more like dead animals than live ones; 
even now to be stopped three times by customs officials and the 
police, and as many times passed. They are out of the Ottoman 
Empire now, but they have yet a long and tiresome trip." 

Dr. Bailey is one of the three men who have gone into the 
interior of Asia Minor for goats. His predecessors were Diehl 
and Harris. He is the only one who has ventured upon such an 
errand since the Sultan prohibited further exportations, which was 
in 1881. 

The Land rinii Importation. 

On April 26, 1901, there arrived at New York two South 
African yearling bucks, for William M. Landrum, of Laguna, 
Tex., the veteran breeder of Angoras. They were seventy days on 
the journey to New York, and reached their new home on May 2. 
These two goats were bred in South Africa by E. C. Holmes, their 
sire being Dick, which was the prize buck at the Port Elizabeth 
show in 1900. 

These goats have not yet been on exhibition, but some of their 
kids have been exhibited and Avere prize winners at the exhibit of 
the American Angora Goat Breeders' Association in 1902. They 
possessed most excellent qualities, and by seeing them one is almost 
ready to indorse what Mr. Landrum says, in the following words, 
of his imported bucks : "These are the most perfect goats I have 
ever seen, and I have seen all but a very few of all that have been 
imported to the United States. Those who thought that there 
are no first-class Angoras in South Africa have been mistaken. 
Pasha is a better goat than any that ever came to America from 
Turkey, and these are even more perfect than Pasha. Of the 
goats from Turkey, some have had one fine point and some another, 
but I have never seen a goat before with all the good points these 
have. The Davis goats had the finest fleece in the world, but it 
was confined to their sides. Their bellies and throats were naked, 
and they had coarse hair on their backs. Diehl had some good 
goats but none perfect. Chenery had four or five almost perfect 
does, but no bucks to equal them. A perfect animal in any breed 
is hard to get." 

Concerning Future Importations. 

The probabilities are that it will be many years before there 
are any further importations. The prohibitive decree of the Sultan 
of Turkey, issued in 1881, has already been mentioned, and there 
is nothing to justify a hope that it will be repealed. There are 




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48 ANGORA GOAT RAISING- 

very few people who would take all the risks that Doctor Bailey 
took and there are fewer still who would succeed. South Africa 
has provided for an export tax of £100 on each Angora goat. Al- 
though this is not now in force, it may be made effective at any 
time when the goat raisers may desire it. Besides, the presence 
in South Africa of contagious diseases which affect goats, sheep, 
and cattle, has caused the Bureau of Animal Industry to quaran- 
tine against goats and other ruminants from that country. How 
long this situation will remain no one can tell. 



CHAPTER IV. 

NUMBER OF ANGORA GOATS AND PRODUCTION OF MOHAIR. 
Number in the United States. 

Previous to the year 1899 the very large majority of the An- 
gora goats in the United States were located in Texas, New 
Mexico, Arizona, California, and Oregon; there were some States 
which probably did not have a dozen within their borders. At 
the present time, however, they may be found in every State and 
Territory. The increase in numbers has not been so great, but 
the spread over such a large territory in three years is little less 
than marvelous, and could have been brought about by nothing 
less than American energy. 

The goat men were very desirous that the census of 1900 should 
show the number of Angoras in the United States, and the director 
of the census, recognizing the need of such statistics, directed that 
this work be done. As the report which is published does not 
differentiate between the breed, the public accepts the explanation 
that the failure rests with the enumerators. The statistics which 
the goat men desire — but which will probably not be forthcoming 
for several years — will give the number of Angoras and common 
goats, and the Angoras will be divided into the various crosses upon 
the common breed. 

The number of goats of all breeds reported by the census of 
1900 was 1,918,904, of which number 47,652 were in cities and 
villages. This number was so great as to cause surprise. No one 
had an idea that there were so many. They had not figured in 
the markets as meat; their skins were hardly mentioned as a prod- 
uct for our leather goods manufactures ; any considerable numbers 
actually kept for milk were seldom heard of; and, although com- 
mon goats will eat brushwood as readily as Angoras, their use for 
this purpose had never been noted. Yet it was the few Angoras 
only among these 2,000,000 goats which had made any impression 
upon the country. All of which leads one to suspect the accuracy 
of the census figures. However, the lack of information to the 
contrary compels us to accept these figures. The accompanying 
table, compiled from the census reports, shows the number and 
value of goats of all breeds in the several States and Territories, 



50 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 



and also the number of farms on which they were found, 
table does not include those in cities and villages. 



This 



NUMBER AND A r ALUE OF GOATS, ALL BREEDS, ON FARMS IN THE UNITED STATES 

IN 1900. 



State or Territory. 



Alabama , . 

Arizona 

Arkansas 

California 

Colorado 

Connecticut 

Delaware 

District of Columbia 

Florida 

Georgia 

Hawaii 

Idaho 

Illinois 

Indiana 

Indian Territory. . . . 

Iowa 

Kansas 

Kentucky 

Louisiana 

Maine 

Maryland 

Massachusetts 

Michigan 

Minnesota 

Mississippi 

Missouri 

Montana 

Nebraska 

Nevada 

New Hampshire 

New Jersey 

New Mexico 

New York 

North Carolina 

North Dakota 

Ohio 

Oklahoma 

Oregon 

Pennsylvania 

Rhode Island 

South Carolina 

South Dakota 

Tennessee 

Texas 

Utah 

Vermont 

Virginia 

Washington 

West Virginia 

Wisconsin 

Wyoming 

Total 



Number 






of farms 
report- 


Number. 


Value. 


ing. 






8,633 


117,413 


$ 91.258 


436 


98.403 


167.863 


4.571 


51.839 


58,788 


1,579 


109.021 


262.981 


620 


37.433 


73,141 


73 


313 


1,915 


43 


143 


519 


6 


9 


39 


2,154 


43.705 


32,639 


6,716 


81,624 


61,972 


19 


653 


731 


68 


4,481 


20.167 


1,642 


8 877 


19932 


1,518 


4.484 


8.920 


733 


10,529 


21,538 


3.007 


41.468 


146,708 


995 


18.288 


71.29J 


2.144 


11.967 


19,753 


2.723 


38,308 


35,697 


70 


279 


1,091 


227 


1,179 


4.023 


145 


1.254 


7,188 


537 


2,861 


10.U08 


498 


3,821 


12,908 


5,431 


55,388 


45,594 


2,754 


24,487 


64,786 


61 


1,713 


7,870 


488 


2,399 


9,126 


39 


4.633 


12,948 


61 


208 


916 


200 


699 


3.006 


2,874 


224,136 


472,961 


576 


1.316 


6.442 


5 089 


42.901 


37,997 


142 


1.122 


5,308 


1,025 


5.432 


16.975 


277 


3,772 


10.854 


2,178 


109,661 


375.229 


763 


2,197 


8.951 


16 


23 


131 


3,643 


26.576 


24,450 


252 


2.915 


15,050 


3,663 


25,884 


38.938 


6,742 


627,333 


923.777 


93 


1.427 


2,702 


41 


102 


444 


1.004 


5,305 


10.002 


165 


2,876 


10,757 


219 


847 


2,123 


534 


3.882 


12,760 


47 


2,666 


11.884 


77.534 


1.871,252 


$3,266,080 



It is, of course, impossible for anyone to know how many of 
these 2,000,000 goats are of the Angora breed. We may, however, 
be permitted to venture a little guessing. The census gives 961,363 
pounds of mohair as the product of 1899. Now, if we consider 
everything as an Angora which produces mohair — from the first 
cross to the highest bred animal — the average production of mohair 




b o 
S § 



V GJ 



52 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

per head would be not far from two pounds. This estimate may- 
be too high. This means, then, that there were about 500,000 An- 
goras in 1899. At this time (autumn of 1902) the number of 
Angoras of all grades in the United States is not far from 700,000. 
It may be said, incidentally, that the number of thoroughbred or 
highbred Angoras is very much smaller. 

Number in South Africa. 

The number of Angora goats in Cape Colony in 1891, accord- 
ing to the census returns, was 3,184,018. W. Hammond Tooke 
has estimated the number for the years 1893 to 1898 to be as 
follows : 



Number. 

1893 2.811,306 

1891 2.619.708 

1895 2,611,082 



Number. 

1896 2 546,981 

1897 2.685.080 

1898 2,982,811 



Elsewhere it is shown that the average annual exportation of 
mohair from the Colony for the five years of 1896 to 1900. On 
the basis of 3,000,000 goats in 1900, an estimate warranted by Mr. 
Tooke's figures, this would show the average weight of the fleeces 
to be 3.75 pounds. This, of course, can not be correct. If we 
divide the 11,253,470 pounds of mohair exported in 1900 by 2, 
which is more likely the average weight of the fleece, we get 5,626,- 
735. This must represent pretty nearly the number of Angoras in 
South Africa in 1900. The war which decimated the herds of live 
stock in that country had a blighting effect upon the goat industry, 
and it is very probable at this time that there are not 5,000,000 
fleece bearing goats in that country. 

Number in Turkey. 

The number of Angoras in the vilayet of Angora, in Asia 
Minor, can not be given with any degree of approximate accuracy. 
There were 1,230,000 there in 1894, according to Schreiner. While 
the best goats are in this vilayet and a greater number are there 
than in any other, it is a fact that there are many Angoras in other 
parts of Asia Minor. It is well known that practically all of the 
mohair product is exported to Bradford, and the declared exports 
to that market show an annual average for the years 1896 to 1900 
of 9,316,477 pounds. An English authority, who is thoroughly 
familiar with the Angora goat industry of Turkey, says the average 
weight of the fleeces is under 3 pounds. Let us suppose it to be 
2^2 pounds ; this would indicate the number of goats to 3,726,000. 
This same English authority says the number of goats there has 
been stationary for the last twenty years. The testimony of others 
who are familiar with the industry there agrees with his. There 





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54 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

appears to be no further opportunity for expansion under the con- 
ditions and methods which now obtain and the Turk will be slow 
to change his methods or to accept new ideas. 

Production of Moliair in the United States. 

The census collected statistics on "mohair and goat hair" (all 
was probably mohair), and ascertained the quantity produced in 
1899 to be 961,304: pounds. The Bureau of Animal Industry, 
however, in correspondence with some of the leading mills which 
handle mohair, found that the four largest consumers used 1,077,- 
000 pounds in 1899. Three of them used 1,089,550 pounds in 
1900, and 1,327,095 in 1901. It might be argued that the mills 
purchased mohair which had been held over in store from a pre- 
vious year; but that hardly explains the increased production for 
three consecutive years, and leads one again to suspect the accuracy 
of the census figures. It must be remembered, also, that several 
mills which were not mentioned consumed a considerable quantity 
of mohair. So it is pretty safe to say that the production of Amer- 
ican mohair was about 1,000,000 pounds in 1899, with a small 
annual increase for the years since that time. 

The accompanying table compiled from census reports, shows 
for 1899 the quantity of mohair produced by States and Terri- 
tories, the total value of the same, and the value per pound in each 
State. The average value per pound for the whole country was 
27.8 cents. 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 



55 



QUANTITY AND VALUE OF MOHAIR AND GOAT HAIR PRODUCED IN 1899. 
FROM REPORTS OF THE TWELFTH CENSUS. 



State. 







Value 


Quantity. 


Value. 


per 
pound. 


Pounds. 


Dollars. 


Cents. 


469 


140 


29 8 


27 030 


7 326 


27.9 
25 3 


1.763 


487 


169.770 


45,665 


26.9 


1,843 


550 


29.8 


465 


177 


38 


20 


8 


40 


726 


215 


29.6 


11,688 


3,989 


34.1 


2.793 


751 


27 


867 


282 


32 5 


760 


126 


16.6 


28.080 


8.607 


30.6 


4.066 


1,077 


26.5 


524 


163 


31 


385 


92 


23.8 


105 


21 


20 


1,120 


396 


35.3 


1.833 


419 


22.8 


556 


180 


32.3 


268 


84 


31.7 


10,203 


2.798 


27.4 


2.750 


824 


30 


5,801 


1.725 


30 


10,590 


3,672 


35 


30 


9 


30 


113,545 


29,917 


26.4 


383 


155 


40 


416 


97 


23 


1,220 


448 


36.7 


469 


112 


24 


693 


187 


26.7 


267,780 


74,363 


20.3 


720 


242 


33.3 


10 


2 


20 


73 


26 


35.6 


1,693 


683 


40.3 


1,486 


438 


29 


274,810 


77,478 


28 2 


459 


142 


31 


5 


2 


40 


343 


113 


33 


4,000 


1,097 


27.4 


140 


43 


30.7 


514 


145 


28.2 


8,100 


2,412 


29.7 


961,364 


$267,875 


27.8 , 



Alabama 

Arizona 

Arkansas 

California 

Colorado 

Connecticut 

Florida 

Georgia 

Idaho 

Illinois 

Indiana 

Indian Territory 

Iowa 

Kansas 

Kentucky 

Louisiana 

Maine 

Massachusetts . . . 

Michigan 

Minnesota 

Mississippi 

Missouri 

Montana 

Nebraska 

Nevada 

New Hampshire. 

New Mexico 

New York 

North Carolina.. 
North Dakota . . . 

Ohio 

Oklahoma 

Oregon 

Pennsylvania 

Rhode Island 

South Carolina. . 
South Dakota . . . 

Tennessee 

Texas 

Utah 

Vermont 

Virginia 

Washington 

West Virginia... 

Wisconsin 

Wyoming 

Total 



Foreign Mohair in Competition. 

Keturns to the Bureau of Animal Industry from the mills men- 
tioned above show that they consumed 1,119,465 pounds of im- 
ported mohair in 1899, 369,475 pounds in 1900, and 183,137 
pounds in 1901. The reduced quantity of the imported product 
was not clue to the increased quantity of the domestic product, for 
that increase was but slight, but to the fact that mohair manufac- 
tures have not been "in fashion" for two or three years. Official 
reports show that we imported from Turkey, during the fiscal year 
of 1901, mohair to the value of $68,794.56. 

Turkey is sending to England about 9,000,000 pounds of mo- 



56 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 



hair annually, and the Cape of Good Hope and other British pos- 
sessions 11,253,470 pounds ; but so long as we are importers and 
not seeking a foreign market, these do not enter into competition 
with us. The conditions of our own country are so well adapted 
to the Angora industry that the time is not far in the future when 
it is probable that we shall produce more than domestic consump- 
tion demands; then we shall attack the problem of foreign compe- 
tition with every feaure in our favor. 

Mohair Product of Turkey. 

There are no exact statistics available on the mohair production 
of Turkey; but it is known that practically all of the produfct is 
exported and that it goes to Bradford, England. The reports of 
receipts of mohair in that market, therefore, will enable us to form 
an estimate of the Turkish production, and they are quoted here- 
with for a series of years, as given by Schreiner upon good author- 
ity: 



Pounds. 

1875 5.321.000 

1876 4 420,000 

1877 5,984.000 

1878 4,641,000 

1879 5.831.000 

1880 8.245.000 

1881 4.221,780 

1882 9.065 250 

1883 7 256.960 

1884 9,019 860 

1885 6,373,640 



Pounds. 

1886 9,825,320 

1887 5.612.550 

1888 7.509,070 

1889 8.844.080 

1890 4,120,220 

1891 6.496.115 

1892 7.774,541 

1893 8.005,887 

1894 6,889.165 

1895 11,000,000 



Year. 


Pounds. 


Value. 


1896 


4,829,410 
10,701.390 
10.161,869 
12.351.342 

8,538,374 


$1,842,734 


1897 


3.611.931 


1898 


3.888,922 


1899 


4.392,367 


1900 


2,903,116 







The returns for the years 1896 to 1900 are from reports of the 
Section of Foreign Markets of the Department of Agriculture, 
and are declared exports from Turkey to England. 

The reason for the wide fluctuations between years, which are 
sometimes very great, can be explained only on the supposition 
that not all of the mohair product of one year was exported, but 
was held back and placed upon the market the next year. The 
product could not vary in quantity as the exports have done. The 
average annual exports for 1896 to 1900 was 9,316,477 pounds, 
with an average annual value for the same period of $3,327,814, 

Moliaar Product of Cape Colony. 

With Cape Colony, as with Turkey, estimates of the production 



58 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 



of mohair must be based upon the exports ; practically none of the 
product is consumed in the Colony. 

Schreiner furnishes the official figures of exports of mohair 
from 1857 to 1898, and the same are quoted herewith: 



1857 


Pounds . 

870 


1858 


1859 


502 


1860 


385 


1861 


784 


1862 


1,036 


1863 


1,354 


1864 


8,104 


1865 


6,992 


1866 


21,165 


1867 


50,832 


1868 


102,570 


1869 


260.932 


1870 


403,153 


1871 


536,292 


1872 


876,861 


1873 


765,719 


1874 


1,036,570 


1875 


1.147.453 


1876 


1,323.(139 


1877 


1,433,774 



Pounds. 

1878 1,358.395 

1879 2.288.116 

1880 2.590.232 

1881 4,1*6,128 

1882 3,776,657 

1883 4,443.971 

1884 4.329,355 

1885 5.251,301 

1886 5,421.006 

1887 7.153,730 

1888 9.598.768 

1889 9.442,213 

1890 9,235.249 

1891 9,953.548 

1892 10,516,837 

1893 9,457.278 

1894 10,003.173 

1895 11,090,449 

1896 10,001,028 

1897 12,583,601 

1898 10,876,014 



The Section of Foreign Markets of the Department of Agri- 
culture has compiled statistics of exports for the years 1896 to 
1900 showing the exports from British Possessions, including Cape 
of Good Hope, Madras, Bombay, Natal, and places of lesser impor- 
tance, and the same are quoted herewith : 



Year. 


Pounds. 


Value. 






10.024,399 
12,058,490 
10.686,730 
14,060,404 
9,437,324 


$2,631,560 




3,088,130 




3,152,387 




4,155.986 




3,055,262 







The average annual production for these five years was 11,- 
253,470 pounds, with an annual average value of $3,216,665. 

Tlie Question ot Overproduction. 

The question of overproduction of mohair has already been 
raised, but the most careful scanning of future conditions fails to 
reveal such a situation. The fact must be kept in mind that 
the larger part of the domestic product is of inferior quality and, 
of course, brings a reduced price. The same is true of the South 
African product. The great demand now is for a quality suitable 
for plushes, and these cheaper grades do not answer the purpose; 
consequently the demand for the low grades is growing weaker and 
weaker. The result is that the mohair growers are doing all that 
energy and intelligence can accomplish to produce the best — the 
kind which the market demands now and shall always call for. 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 59 

While we in this country are already doing wonders toward this 
desirable end, it will require many years to produce enough to 
supply domestic consumption. Therefore the coming of the day 
when we shall be producing a surplus of first quality of mohair 
is far in the future. In this connection it will be interesting to 
read an article from H. M. Williamson, editor of the Oregon Agri- 
culturist and Kural Northwest (September, 1902), a gentleman 
who has had a grasp of the Angora goat situation in this country 
for many years: 

"As to the probable growth in the use of mohair we can get 
some indications from what has already been done. The- exports 
of mohair from Turkey increased from 1,247,000 pounds in 1839 
to about 11,000,000 pounds in 1895. The exports from South 
Africa increased from 870 pounds in 1857 to over 11,000,000 
pounds in 1895. In a period of fifty years ending with 1895 the 
world's supply of mohair increased from about 2,000,000 pounds 
to 22,000,000 pounds. The period of most rapid increase was from 
1875 to 1895, when the combined exports from Turkey and South 
Africa rose from 6,468,453 pounds to a little over 22,000,000 
pounds. Although there was a large increase in the exports of 
mohair from Turkey prior to 1875, there was no material change 
or reduction of prices. The lowest price for Turkish mohair at 
Bradford, England, between 1862 and 1876 was 2s. 4d. per pound, 
and the highest was 3s. lOd. In 1876 the price was 3s. 9d. The 
price then began to go down and went clown pretty steadily until 
1888, when the price of Turkish mohair in Bradford ranged from 
12d. to 14d. per pound. The total supply of mohair that year was 
in excess of 17,000,000 pounds, as compared with less than 6,500,- 
000 pounds thirteen years before. The rate of increase of pro- 
duction during that interval had been too rapid, apparently. Since 
1888 the increase in the production of mohair has been at a much 
lower rate. It is not probable that the world's supply last year 
exceeded 25,000,000 pounds, or 8,000,000 pounds more than the 
supply in 1888, showing not merely a greatly reduced percentage 
of increase for the thirteen years as compared with the previous 
thirteen, but an actual falling off of increase from 10,500,000 
pounds for the first period to 8,500,000 pounds for the second 
period. Prices during the past thirteen years have fluctuated ma- 
terially, but the prices of Turkish mohair have never fallen below 
those of 1888 and for the past five years have been from 25 to 50 
per cent higher than they were in that year. We may assume, 
therefore, that the rate of growth of increase in the use of mohair 
has been sufficient to take up fully the increase in production. 
This applies strictly, however, only to Turkish mohair. There has 



(50 ANGORA GOAT RA'ISING- 

been a serious falling off in the price of South African mohair in 
the past year or two, clue to the fact that the demand is for finer 
fibered hair than most of that produced in South Africa. The 
production of mohair has grown comparatively slowly in South 
Africa since 1888. The mohair growers were, however, more pros- 
perous than the wool growers until very recently. We lack knowl- 
edge upon which to base a guess as to the future increase of pro- 
duction there, but know of no reason which will operate to make 
the increase more rapid in the future than it has been since 1888. 
The United States is the only country in which the increase in 
the production of mohair is likely to be very rapid in the imme- 
diate future. The production in this country in 1900 was about 
the same as it was in South Africa in 1875. If production in- 
creases as fast in this country as it did in South Africa we shall 
be producing over 5,000,000 pounds in 1910. In view of the pres- 
ent volume of mohair produced in the world and the rate at which 
its use has been increasing, an increase of 4,000,000 pounds in 
the production in the United States in ten years should not dis- 
turb the market or injuriously affect prices. It is possible that 
the increase may be greater than 4,000,000 pounds. It would be 
possible to increase the production in ten years from 1,000,000 
to 10,000,000 pounds. There is no probability of such an in- 
crease and it would not be desirable. To make such an increase 
would mean no improvement in the average quality of the mohair 
produced in this country. 

"There is already too much low-grade mohair produced both 
in South Africa and the United States, but the conditions are not 
such as to warrant any fear of overproduction of mohair of fine 
quality for many years to come, nor is it likely that the prices of 
mohair equal in quality to Turkish will average lower than they 
have been during the past four or five years." 

If a moment's thought is given to the many uses to which 
mohair is now put and to which it may be put in the future, it 
is difficult to conceive of a surplus at any time. It must not be 
forgotten that mohair has a field all its own in most respects, 
and it is a thrifty competitor in some other fields. Its beauty and 
durability will recommend it for a host of things which are now 
made of wool or other fiber. The pages devoted to mohair and 
mohair manufactures are full of reasons why there is not likely 
to be an overproduction. The most essential thing at this time 
is to have mohair divorced from the caprices of fashion and be- 
come a staple on the market as distinct as wool or cotton. 





1 - ^ - : M ^ 

^Jh ilk Jl 
; 




r^ 4 : 








J\ I 



CHAPTER V. 

BKOWSING AND PASTUEAGE. 
Goats Are Browsers by Nature. 

Goats are browsers by nature, and there is no vegetation which 
they will eat in preference to the leaves and twigs of bushes. This 
fact establishes them at once as an intolerable nuisance in the 
orchard and the garden or any other place where desirable shrub- 
bery may be growing, but it was this characteristic which com- 
mended them to the farmers of this country as destroyers of use- 
less brushwood. They are omnivorous eaters of brushwood, briers, 
and weeds, but seem to be careful to avoid that character of vege- 
tation which other kinds of live stock prefer. Every leaf and 
twig within their reach is greedily eaten, even to most of the 
bushes and weeds that are considered poisonous to other ruminants, 
while a remarkably few weeds are passed by. They will desert 
the finest clover and blue grass for such an outlay. 

As Brushwood Exterminators. 

A patch of brushwood which may be so dense that a man can 
not get through it will soon be converted into an open woodlot if 
Angoras are permitted to operate upon it. In this effort to get 
the leaves and twigs, they will stand on their hind feet and strip 
a sapling to a height of five or six feet. They will do more than 
that. With an instinct approaching human intelligence, a single 
animal will get astride a small sapling and ride it down and hold 
it there until it is completely stripped of leaves and twigs by as 
many goats as may be able to get at it. This will explain why 
so many saplings are seen which are stripped to a greater height 
than any goat could possibly reach. Oftentimes they will strip 
the bark from young trees. Their habits in this respect, however, 
are erratic. Sometimes they will run among the saplings for 
weeks without touching the bark of a single one, and then, as if 
for the very fun of the work, all will begin some morning to tear 
the bark off most vigorously. 

A thousand men have wondered why the goat had not been 
used as a brush exterminator years and years ago, for his habits 
have been known since the davs of Abraham and even before ; but 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. (33 

he was not so employed, and when he was recently brought to the 
front as an economic factor he was hailed as a "modern discovery." 
The credit for the discovery of the goat as an economic factor in 
the matter of destroying brush is generally conceded to Dr. J. E. 
Standley, of Iowa. He read an article in a consular report con- 
cerning the value of milch goats in a foreign country, but the 
objection was made that they destroyed every tree and shrub, with 
which they came in contact. Instantly the thought occurred to 
him that the characteristic which made the goat a nuisance abroad 
would make it beneficial on his large tract of land which was idle 
and useless because of its dense growth of underbrush. Acting 
upon the thought, he went into Texas and secured a carload of 
Angora goats and turned them onto his land, with the gratifying 
result, now duplicated in every State of the Union, that the brush- 
wood had met a master. Upon his recommendation, based upon 
his experience, thousands of goats were taken into Iowa for clear- 
ing brush land some time before they were seriously considered 
elsewhere. Dr. Standlev's opinion of goats as brush destroyers 
is given herewith : "Land can be cleared of the worst brush known 
to this country for a little less than nothing by Angora goats. 
Some one asks how. Simply this : Angora goats will pay a profit 
and live on leaves and weeds, leaving the land cleaner and nicer 
than can be done in any other way. Many persons have the idea 
that goats bark the trees and in that way kill them. They also 
think that goats wholly eat the hazel and other small brush. 
There is nothing in this. The way in which goats kill brush is by 
continually cropping the leaves, which serve as the lungs of the 
brush. The continued cropping of the leaves makes the brush, as 
it were, sick, caused by lack of nourishment. This sickness sinks 
to the very extremity of the roots, thus preventing sprouting. 
Any and all kinds of bushes are in this way easily killed. Some 
kinds of brush and some kinds of stumps are, of course, much 
harder to kill than others. Many varieties are entirely killed by 
one summer's trimming of the leaves. Almost any are killed by 
two years' trimming. To clear the worst brush do not cut any- 
thing that the goats can reach or bend. The tallest or largest is 
better not cut. All trees and saplings should be cut and the goats 
will keep all the sprouts down. If stumps are allowed to sprout 
one year before the goats are turned in, the sprouts need not be 
cat. About 200 goats for 40 acres of brush will in two or three 
years make the land as clean as a garden. If the pasture has only 
patches of brush, turn in a few goats and it will make more grass 
for other stock than if the goats were not in. They eat very little 
grass when they can get leaves. Goats even like weeds better 



64 ANGORA GOAT RAIDING. 

than grass. In clearing brush land in the old way by grub and 
plow there are always left many eyesores in the way of brushy 
nooks and bends and steep places which can not be plowed. 

"There are millions of acres of land in nearly every State in 
the Union which might be much more than doubled in value by 
the use of Angora goats at no cost at all. Commence and count 
the worth of your land, then the fencing, and see if you can afford 
to leave your brush land so nearly worthless for all time. Then 
count the cost of grubbing and plowing, if indeed such land is 
susceptible to the plow. No man can afford to grub and plow 
brush land in this day and age of the world any more than he can 
afford to plant a large field of corn without a planter. In hilly 
or mountainous portions of the country the Angora goat can be 
made to do a great service in the way of clearing the underbrush, 
when the land will bring grass after the brush is gone. It would 
surely be a paying business to buy up large tracts of rough land in 
the mountain districts, or indeed any brush land in the United 
States, and clear the brush and set in grass. Afterwards, if the 
owner liked other stock better, he might dispense with the An- 
goras. In many places where the country is too bare to furnish 
sheep with sufficient feed goats will do exceedingly well. In many 
places where leaves are abundant and there is scarcely any grass 
making it impossible to profitably keep sheep, goats will do ad- 
mirably.'' 

The following testimony of Prof. C. D. Woods, director of 
the Maine Experiment Station, shows what the Angoras will do in 
that part of New England: "In May, 1902, six ewes, one buck, 
and five kids were put in an acre of young woodland of a mixed 
growth, most of the trees being three to six inches in diameter. 
There was a quite thick growth of underbrush. The small under- 
brush of birch, maple, hazel bush, etc., have been cleaned up so 
that where there are no alders or evergreens the ground under the 
trees is as clean as though it had been burned over. Sweet fern 
they do not like very well, but they have cleaned all of the hardhack 
out of this piece. Ferns and brakes have been eaten to some ex- 
tent. They have eaten the leaves and young sprigs of bushes in 
preference to grass. Birches two inches or more in diameter they 
have not injured, but they have stripped the bark from every 
maple. Even maple trees six inches in diameter have been thus 
killed. We have found them to be fond of the bark of apple trees, 
even eating the bark from old trees. 

"To clean up lurch or evergreen woodland, they have proven 
very effective. There has been practically no cost for the sum- 
mer's keeping. The twelve goats have been kept without other 



^A 



** 











6G ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

food on one aero of young woodland. They have required no care 
other than an occasional visit to see that they are all right and that 
they have water." 

Here is the experience of another New England gentleman, 
W. 0. Corning, of New Milford, Conn. : "I first fenced off ten acres 
with American wire fence thirty inches high, and no goat has ever 
jumped over that fence yet. I also built a shed for them to stay 
in nights and rainy days, which they nightly utilize, and at any 
signs of a shower or storm they march into that shed in military 
precision, and when the storm is over out they go in like proces- 
sion to resume their daily task, like the busy bee. On the 10th of 
May these goats were turned into this lot and it was soon evident 
that it would be but a short time before they would need a fresh 
field. On the 19th of June, just thirty-nine days after turning 
the goats in, I had to cut down quite a lot of chestnut trees to 
give them leaves to feed upon. This piece of land looked as if a 
cyclone had struck it. Tbe goats broke the small brush down and 
devoured the leaves of sumachs eight and ten feet high. Grass 
soon began to grow, and the present indications are that next year a 
fine crop of grass will grow where before it has been almost bar- 
ren, now fertilized by these goats. 

"The work they have done is beyond my expectations, and what 
has been said about their efficiency as brush or land cleaners that 
I have read or heard has not been overdrawn/' 

Now, let us have another testimony, this one from Hon. James 
S. Hogg, ex-Governor of Texas, who had a flock of 101 head when 
he made this statement: "Goats have a predilection for desserts 
very much like the human race, but I never discovered this until 
I made this recent purchase. My goats go out in the morning and 
feast on briers, young saplings, cacti, and other substantial food 
products until about noon, when they turn their attention to this 
j ear's growth of limbs, including leaves, where they cut six or 
seven wide swaths, then along about eventide they finish up on 
about 104 saucers of poison oak leaves. They arranged the bill of 
fare to suit themselves and manifested no desire for a change. 
They are perfectly willing to work for their board and give me 
their clothes. They are doing good work, too." 

A. Kemble, of Muscatine, Iowa, was the gentleman who readily 
paid $1,400 for the sweepstakes buck at the Kansas City exhibit 
in 1902, and thousands have questioned his business judgment if 
not his sanity; but the gentleman knew what he was about, for he 
was already a goat raiser, and he knew their value. The following- 
are some of his remarks after he purchased Aztec, the prize buck 
mentioned above: "Last March my sons came into possession of 




FOUR FAMOUS ANGORAS. 
Bred by D. C. Taylor & Son, Lake Valley, New Mexico. No. 1. Toltec; No. 2, Monte- 
zuma; No. 3, Champion Aztec; No. 4, Andy Jackson. 



68 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

the Daniel Hayes ranch over in Illinois. The ranch consisted of 
about 1,200 acres. Something like 500 acres was in cultivation, 
but the other 700 was underbrush and land hardly fit for pasture. 
I undertook the supervision of the property, and the first thing 
I tried to do was to put as much of it as possible under cultiva- 
tion. I tried all sorts of schemes to rid the land of the brush 
and clean it up, but by far the best and surest remedy was the 
Angora goat scheme. Last May I bought 240 head and they cleared 
100 acres in a short time and left a fine growth of blue grass 
and clover. In another year what was once a tangled wilderness 
filled with wolves, snakes, and the like, will be the finest pasture 
land in the country." 

The curse of the valuable lands of the Hawaiian Islands is a 
shrub, or small tree, known as lantana. The question with the 
residents is an important one, as to how to eradicate it. The 
writer has several times been asked whether goats would not de- 
stroy this shrub as well as others in the States, but it is only 
recently that he has seen a statement by a native Hawaiian that 
goats had been known to destroy this plant utterly and he rec- 
ommended that they be employed in large numbers for the pur- 
pose. It is believed they will save 75 per cent of the present cost 
of clearing the land. It seems they are trying so-called "scientific 
methods" there by attempting to destroy lantana by parasitic in- 
sects. The employment of goats may not be so scientific, but it 
would certainly be more rational, with every chance of better 
success. 

Morris Lewis, of Ottawa, 111., has quite recently published the 
following statement: "In the spring of 1901 I fenced 47 acres 
of the heaviest brush I ever saw. This land is three miles from 
Belleville, 111. I used 27-inch woven-wire fencing with two 
barbed wires on top. On this 47 acres I put 175 Angora wethers. 
In the fall of 1901 I sold 100 of the wethers and wintered the 
rest on corn fodder, feeding it on the ground, the goats having 
the run of the 47 acres and access to a warm, dry shed. I sheared 
the first of April and the mohair more than paid the expense of 
wintering. Last spring (March, 1902) I sowed timothy and clo- 
ver over this land and I did not see the land again until October, 
when I went to Belleville to see what condition the land was m. 
There is not a live bush or shrub on the tract and there is a 
complete stand of timothy and clover. I find that I will need 
the goats no longer. In the spring I will put cattle on this land 
and will continue to use it in this way until the stumps are rotted 
out, when the land will be put in com. A lady Avhose land ad- 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 69 

joins this pasture was so well pleased with the result that she put 
in a load of goats last spring. 

"Hereafter I will keep only a few purebred goats to keep clown 
any sprouts and to eat the weeds along the fence lines. Good 
goats pay well." 

The suggestion contained in the following from H. T. Fuchs, 
Marble Falls, Tex., should be of value on thousands of farms 
where the cocklebur has almost gained the mastery: "A few years 
ago the Colorado Eiver washed away a great deal of my field fence 
snd covered the bottom land wi+h cockleburs all along the river. 
It looked like a forest of cockleburs. To save the crop I had to 
build a new fence, joining the river on the upper side of the field, 
so that goats could not keep down the weeds along the river inside 
of the field, but they kept all the cockleburs eaten up clean so far 
as the} r could go. Last winter I hired help to beat down the ripe 
cockleburs from the dead bushes inside the field and built a new 
fence of eight wires parallel with the river and opened the whole 
bottom to the goats this spring after shearing. At that time the 
cockleburs and elder bushes had entirely covered the entire bottom 
for the distance of a mile, and it looked like the goats would get 
lost in there, but after about two months I had the great pleasure 
to see that the bottom was as clean from cockleburs and elder as 
pecan gatherers may wish for." 

At this time there might be added to the testimony of these 
gentlemen that of every one who has used goats for the same 
purpose; but, because of this unanimity of sentiment, it is not 
deemed necessary to produce more testimony here. It is strange, 
however, that statements of this habit of the Angora goat are the 
most difficult for people to accept. They believe it is beautiful, 
that it gives nutritious milk, that it is good to eat by those who 
have no scruples about the matter, and that its fleece is worked ' 
up into fabrics the most beautiful and durable ; but when it is 
told how they will convert a wilderness into a rich pasture, doubt 
takes possession. Doubters may be assured that the testimony 
of the gentlemen who are qouted above is that of thousands of 
others at this time, and evidences in the way of the cleared land 
itself may now be seen in every State. 

In those localities where valuable land is completely subdued 
by brushwood the goats are considered of more value for the pur- 
pose of clearing it than for their mohair or meat. Thus they 
become a most important tool to the farmer. Their value in this 
respect must be measured by the value of the land which they ren- 
der cultivable. In Oregon it has been estimated that the average 
cost of clearing the brush land was $20 per acre; the goats have 



70 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

done better work and "boarded themselves." In southern Ohio, 
in Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia, and probably in the 
Carolinas as well, the cost of clearing away the brush is about 
$12 per acre; the goats do it for nothing. Apparently the goats 
require mere time to make a perfect job than men, but it is only 
apparent; their work is better done, and they enrich the soil from 
the day they first set hoof upon it. Sprouts spring up behind the 
grubbing hoe to torment the farmer year after year. 

The work of clearing land may be hastened if the trees which 
are too large for the goats to manage are felled with the ax. It 
is a real pleasure to see a flock of goats pounce upon a tree just 
cut down; they enjoy the tops so much that oftentimes they will 
interfere with the chopper while waiting for the tree to fall. 

It is a good plan to defer the chopping until the winter season, 
for two reasons ; it is, first, the most convenient time for the farmer 
to do this work; and, second, it affords the goats a supply of 
browse at a time when they need it most. 

Brushwood as Permanent Pasturage. 

The inherent tendency of goats to climb leads them to hill- 
sides and rocky cliffs, and they prefer such situations to any of 
a level character. Here nature meets their necessities by dwarf- 
ing the bushes so they may be browsed easily; the soil is quickly 
drained when there is rain; and the stones serve to keep the feet 
trimmed properly by the wearing process. This is the situation 
that the goats would choose for themselves, but the farmer in most 
cases prefers to confine their operations upon land that will be 
more profitable after it is cleared. 

There are in the United States millions of acres of brush land 
which coulcl be made suitable for little else than goat raising. 
It is desirable, then, that such brushwood should not be browsed 
to death, but be so manipulated as to provide feed for the goats 
year after year. The way to do this is not difficult. One method 
would be not to overpasture the land, permitting the brush to 
grow as fast as it is consumed. Another practice would be to 
pasture one field every three or four years only. As brush must 
be subdued continuously for two or three years in order to kill 
the roots, the sprouts will grow vigorously after one year of 
browsing if the goats are taken away. There are so many more 
acres, however, which when cleared will make the richest pas- 
turage and cultivable land, it is not at all probable that there 
will be any considerable interest manifested in maintaining brush- 
wood for goat feed. 

The kinds of brush and weeds which goats will feed upon 



72 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

cover pretty nearly every variety of vegetation. They are not 
fond of hickory and alder, yet there are instances where they have 
eaten the latter with apparent greediness. Pine is not a regular 
diet, yet they will eat much of it during the year. The broom 
sedge, which is such a nuisance in fields in Maryland and the 
Virginias, and which will not be touched by other live stock, is 
a favorite feed with goats if they can have it as it grows ; and 
this is one grass which they like to mix with their browse, 

One Year of Goating Not Sufficient* 

It must not be understood that a piece of land so cleared is 
ready for pasturage or the plow after the first year. Nature is 
not so easily subdued. Most shrubs will start anew from the roots 
and therefore the goats should have the run of the woodlot, for at 
least a part of the time, during two or three years, if the purpose 
is to convert the land into pasture or to cultivate it. The goats 
regard these young sprouts as the most delicate morsels and not 
one will be permittee! to grow. The result is that all shrubbery 
will soon give over the battle and blue grass, if the section is one 
where blue grass is indigenous, will rapidly follow. Let the im- 
portant fact be mentioned here incidentally that during the time 
the g'pats have been upon such a piece of land they have deposited 
very evenly upon it a large amount of the richest kind of manure. 
This aids the grass in its efforts to establish itself. 

Some Objectionable Features of Brushwood.. 

The statement has been reiterated over and over by the news- 
papers, in mentioning the spread of the Angora goat industry, 
that these goats will eat all kinds of poisonous plants without any 
harmful results. While there is much evidence pointing to this 
conclusion, it ought not to be taken as a settled fact. If ex- 
periments were undertaken it might be shown that a plant which is 
poisonous to sheep or cattle is also injurious to goats. It is ob- 
served that goats feed upon brushwood by snipping off a leaf 
here and there — from a pine here and a cedar there, a grass blade 
here and a weed top there, and so on ; they do not, like the sheep 
or cow, eat a weed entirely or strip a bush clean before passing 
on. The result is that the goat's stomach is filled with a great 
variety of food and not much of any one kind. If by chance a few 
poisonous leaves are eaten, they are probably neutralized by the 
large quantity of other food eaten. 

Upon a farm in Pennsylvania there was a patch of laurel where 
goats had passed it by during the whole season. This was evi- 
dence that thev knew it was not good for them. Later in the sea- 




ANGORAS ON EDGEWOOD STOCK FARM, MENDON, ILL. 
Property of Geo. H. Baldwin. 



74 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

son several hundred goats were turned into that same pasture 
after a long journey and when they were very hungry. The laurel 
patch was the only green food in sight and they ate of it greedily. 
The next morning found 300 of them very sick and 50 dead. What 
had proved harmless to the goats that had been there when there 
was an abundance of other feed proved exceedingly poisonous to 
the hungry newcomers. 

While it is possible that goats may not eat laurel to such an 
extent as to be injurious if placed in a pasture where it is grow- 
ing with other browse, it can not be considered a safe practice. 
The owner of the Pennsylvania farm referred to found it to be 
a short job and not expensive to "snake" out his laurel patches 
with a team and log chain. So brushwood need not be aban- 
doned because there are patches of laurel upon it. 

The laurel best known is the narrow leaf variety (Kalmia 
iatifolia). According to Dr. V. K. Chesnut, the Government au- 
thority on poisonous plants, this species "is abundant in the north- 
eastern section of the United States, where it is also' known as 
sheep laurel and lambkill. The leaves contain andromedotoxin, 
and sheep and calves are quite frequently poisoned by eating 
them." 

The greenbrier, which appears to have a wide distribution in 
the United States, is an enemy to goat raising; not that it is 
poisonous, but because of its physical character. It is a climbing 
shrub, very wiry, and well covered with very hard and tenacious 
thorns. They grow in clumps and to great length, and prefer- 
ably on lowland and near creeks or ponds. It is a very easy 
matter for these thorns to catch in the fleece and hold the animal 
fast until it dies. No goat has strength sufficient to break the 
shrub and the thorns do not give way. This shrub should be cut 
down with a brush scythe and burned before goats are permitted 
to go among them. Where goats have had access to greenbriers 
immediately after shearing, when there is no fleece to catch upon 
the thorns, they have destroyed the briers by eating the leaves 
and by girdling. 

It is probable that large blackberry briers may be objection- 
able for the same reason, but ordinarily goats will destroy them 
vHiout much difficulty. If goats have an opportunity to get at 
any of these briers as they are putting out in the spring, they 
will not permit them to mature. 

Grass Will Follow the Goats. 

Eeference was made above to the fact that blue grass often 
follows where goats have cleared off the brush and weeds. This, 




§■■ 

zX ° 

^ to 

M S 



76 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

of course, is not because the goats have anything to do with the 
spread of blue grass, but simply because their work gives the 
grass an opportunity. Other grasses native to the locality are 
apt to "come in" in the same manner. We have traveled along 
our country roads all our lives and seen the grass growing on either 
side better than anywhere else when not cultivated, but the thought 
never occurred that the same conditions might be brought to 
large areas; yet, all the grass was waiting for was an opportunity 
— waiting for the brush and weeds to get out of the way. The 
goats attend to this part of the work. The grass comes, and 
comes vigorously if the soil is at alb rich; and if the goats are 
still on the land, they will not molest it if they can find browse. 

Goats as Grazers. 

While it is true that goats prefer browse, it is also true that 
they will subsist nicely upon grass. So the absence of brushwood 
need not deter any one from engaging in the industry if other 
conditions appear to warrant the venture. Philo Ogden, of Up- 
perlake, Cal., who is a successful breeder and mohair grower, be- 
lieves in grass and is opposed to brush as a food for producing 
mohair. He says: "The fact is that as the brush disappears from 
my range the fleeces become heavier, with less wax, or gum, and 
has more luster. Fully 75 per cent of the young stock are larger 
than their parents and shear more and finer hair." 

John S. Harris, of Salem, Oreg., is also a believer in grass for 
goats. He maintains that the fleece grown on grass is superior 
in almost every respect. He says a little browse will do no in- 
jury, but all grass as feed will do no harm. S. S. Brannin, Silver, 
Mont., whose goats subsist largely upon grass, believes, with the 
greater number of goat men, that a mixture of diet is the best. 
He says all stock become very fat upon the gramma, or buffalo, 
grass which grows there, and adds this interesting note: "I have 
taken over 20 pounds of rendered tallow out of one three-year- 
old wether which dressed 65 pounds." 

Browsing Supplements Feeding. 

The browsing habits of goats is important in connection with 
the question of feeding. In some places they obtain enough 
browse to carry them through the winter. This is especially true 
in the Southwest, where there is so great an abundance of live 
oak. If snow is on the ground, or for other reasons the goats 
are deprived of opportunities for foraging, the trees are cut down 
for them. They pass through the winter in good condition with 
little other feed. Wherever they are deprived of opportunities 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 77 

for browsing, they must be fed. Browsing saves feed. As far 
north as Nevada, C. P. Bailey's goats subsist through the winter 
on sagebrush. 

Browsing Adds Game Flavor. 

It is noted that many of the correspondents heretofore quo- 
ted state that it is the browsing of the Angora that gives to the 
meat the game flavor, thus leading some to name the meat "Angora 
venison." It is also stated that when deprived of browse and fed 
on grass and grain, the game flavor disappears. There is no rea- 
son why this should not be true, for it is a well-known fact that 
flavor may not only be fed into meat, but into milk and eggs as 
well. 

Common Goats as Brash Destroyers. 

The fact must not be overlooked that the brush-destroying 
habit is common to all kinds of goats. The common goats will 
do the work as well as the Angoras. The latter are employed for 
the purpose because they are more plentiful and because there is 
profit in their progeny for breeding purposes, their mohair, and 
their meat. There are many common goats in the South which 
might be employed as brush destroyers, especially if the first cost 
of Angoras is considered too expensive. In southern Florida, 
where it costs $50 per acre to clear a farm, it might be well to try 
the common goat, for the location is probably too low for the 
Angoras to thrive well. 

Pasturing with Other Stock. 

So far as the goats themselves are concerned, they may be 
kept in the pastures where there are sheep, cattle, and horses. 
Their presence is in no way obnoxious to any of these animals:. 
It has already been pointed out that a few of them in a flock of 
sheep are a protection against dogs. However, it is not best for 
the goats that they be kept in pastures with horses. This is' es- 
pecially important if there are kids, as the horses have a habit 
of playfully chasing any animal that is not large enough to de- 
fend itself, and they are apt to strike the kids. It is also impor- 
tant that the kids should not be in pasture with hogs, which are 
liable to eat them; indeed, the grown goats are apt to be attacked 
by the hogs if they should be disabled from any cause. 

Number of Goats to an Acre. 

This is a question frequently asked, but certainly no thoughtful 
person expects a definite answer. The number will depend, first, 



78 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

upon the object in pasturing on brush land, whether it is to kill 
the brush utterly or to use it as a permanent pasture ; and second, 
upon the quantity of feed obtainable. While one acre might be 
as dense as a jangle, another might have small thickets alterna- 
ting with grass plats. Thus it will be seen that a definite answer 
can not be given to this question. There are not many patches of 
brushwood so dense that four or five goats to the acre will not 
level it during one season. Ordinarily, the tendency is to put too 
many goats on a tract, with the result that they soon get into a 
starving condition. They must not be expected to climb trees nor 
to eat the boles from one to six inches in diameter. 



CHAPTER VL 

MOHAIR AND MOHAIR MANUFACTURES. 
Fleece of the Angora Goat. 

The word "mohair" is the technical name for the fleece of the 
Angora goat. The word comes to us, through the old French 
'miohere," from the Arabic "mukhayyar," meaning mohair cloth. 
It differs from the wool of the sheep in that it does not have the 
felting properties of the latter. The felting property of wool is 
clue to the presence of scales, or epithelia, which cover the fiber 
in much the same manner that scales cover fish. It is the felting 
property of wool which distinguishes it principally from other 
animal fibers. Mohair is a hair proper, being devoid of scales, and 
so is not successfully used alone in felt goods. 

The fleece upon the goat is pure white, is exceedingly lustrous, 
and grows to an average length of 10 inches annually. It hangs 
in beautiful wavy curls, or ringlets, from all parts of the body, 
if the animal is of the best breeding. The average annual pro- 
duction per head of mohair is about 3 pounds. The grade of the 
goat has much to do with the weight of the fleece. The first cross 
of an Angora buck upon a common doe gives but a small amount 
of mohair, but the increase in quantity is notable as the crosses 
come higher. 

According to tests conducted by Dr. William McMurtrie, and 
published by the United States Department of Agriculture in 1886 ; 
mohair is not equal to wool in fineness, but in strain there is a 
difference much greater than would be suggested by the larger 
fiber. The average wool fiber in these tests stood a strain of 108.79 
grains, while the average mohair fiber stood a strain of 295.11 
grains. This is a difference of 186.32 grains — much more than 
double the strength of wool. It is to this strength of fiber that 
the great durability of mohair- goods is ascribed. In stretching 
quality there is but a slight difference between mohair and wool. 
Dr. McMurtrie makes the point in discussing wools that the indi- 
vidual fibers may be variable in size, a condition brought about, 
it is supposed, by' sudden changes in weather or feed, or by ill 
health. Dr. McMurtrie's remarks on this question are applicable 
to mohair, and so are copied here somewhat extensively: "In the 



80 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

study of the wools constituting the collection under present exam- 
ination, one can not avoid being struck with the lack of what 
the German authorities term Evenness Treue, or uniformity in 
the diameter of the fiber throughout its length; and this property 
is probably one of the most important, if it does not even stand 
first, in the determination of the commercial and industrial value 
of the staple. It is the result of two causes — the one atrophy 
of the fiber at certain parts, and the other hypertrophy. In other 
words, when we examine a sample of uneven staple with the mi- 
croscope, we notice a greater width of the images at some parts 
than at others, and these variations are by no means wanting in 
interest, nor are they absent in many of the animals said to have 
received excellent care and feed. In some cases we find a sudden 
contraction of the fiber at certain points (atrophy) and this is 
often sufficient to give the edge of the image a decidedly notched 
appearance. In other cases the contraction is more gradual, the 
progressive diminution of the width of the image extending over 
a greater length of the fiber. In the enlargement, however (hyper- 
trophy), such sharp variations do not obtain; the fiber begins to 
enlarge at a certain point, and the enlargement may continue 
through the length of the fiber until it attains a diameter even 
twice as great as at other parts. * * * 

"Where atrophies occur the fiber must necessarily be weak 
ened, while, on the other hand, staples in which the atrophied 
fibers occur in any important portion must interfere with the 
regular passage of the material through the several machines and 
the processes of the factory. In both cases, therefore, they seri- 
ously impair the value of the product, and it behooves growers 
to look to the causes which may have a tendency to bring them 
out. What these causes may be we have had no opportunity to 
determine, but there can be little doubt that bad nutrition, ex- 
posure, and the consequently impaired health and constitution 
are the more prominent. A fevered condition of the system prob- 
ably tends to check normal exercise of the functions of the skin, 
and hence the growth of the fiber resulting in atrophy, or it may 
have the contrary effect and cause hypertrophy. * * * We 
have sufficient evidence to show that when animals have been 
well fed and cared for, and when the health of the animal has 
been uniform, such deformities in the fibers do not exist. And 
that the growth of the wool is retarded, or at least that the diam- 
eter of the fiber is diminished by impaired health of the animal 
is well illustrated in the following bit of our own experience. 
On one occasion a prominent breeder of Merino sheep submitted 
a sample of his wool for the determination of its fineness. By 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 8] 

the system of measurement followed Ave found that the fibers 
Avere finer at a certain part or point in their development than at 
others, and by simple calculation it Avas easy to determine at 
what part of the season the finer portion of the staple had devel- 
oped. We stated that at that season the animal must have been 
in ill health, and this was afterward confirmed by reference to 
the record of the condition of the different individuals of the 
flock during the year. And it further illustrates the importance 
cf great care in the management of sheep and the value of protect - 
-ing them from any sudden changes and from the inclemencies of 
the Aveather in general." 

All mohair has a luster peculiarly its oavii, but this is much 
more pronounced in some fleeces than in others. That having the 
higher luster, other qualities being equal, commands the better 
price. A fleece of low luster indicates a goat under influence of 
adverse conditions — as poor breeding, poor feeding, or sickness. 
The uninformed often express the opinion that this luster is due 
to oil in the fleece, but this is erroneous. Whatever oil there 
may be in mohair is inside the individual hairs, and not on the 
outside, as in the case of avooI. There is sometimes a gummy sub- 
stance which causes a fleece to become badly matted, but this 
is not due to oil in the fleece. A mohair fleece may be Avashed, 
then scoured, and then steamed, dyed, and worked up into fabrics 
after reaching the mills, but none of these processes removes 
any of the luster; indeed, all of them operate simply to inten- 
sify it. 

Tavo or three }^ears ago the mohair producers Avere happy in 
tiie Avell-founded hope that they Avould, Avithin a few years, be 
able to produce mohair equal to that groAvn in South Africa, and 
they also dared to indulge the hope that some time in the future 
they might be able to equal that of Asia Minor; but they Avere 
surprised this year when it was announced that there Avere even 
now many fleeces equal to the Turkish product. As stated in a 
previous chapter, George G. Emery, of the Sanford Mills, Sah- 
ford, Me., shoAved at the exhibit of the American Angora Goat 
Breeders' Association in October, 1902, tAvo fleeces of plush, one 
made from American mohair and the other from Turkish. They 
Avere woven alike and colored alike, and it was simply impossible 
for any one to distinguish between them. 

While there is yet but a small quantity of such excellent mo- 
hair produced in the United States, this fact sIioavs that it can 
be grown and everybody knoAVS the American energy always turns 
possibilities into facts. 



82 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

Presence of Kemp in Mohair. 

It is a fact well known to breeders that the Angora goat has 
two coats of hair. The outer and more abundant coat is the 
mohair, while the under coat is a coarse, chalky white, straight, 
stiff hair, varying in length from one-half to 4 inches. This 
under hair is known by the name of kemp. It is generally believed 
to be the relic of the common goat blood in the Angora, for it is 
a matter of history that the Angora flocks of the United States, 
as well as those of Asia Minor and South Africa, have been largely 
increased by crossing upon the does of common blood. This has 
been done to such an extent, indeed, that it is no longer contended 
that there remain any Angora goats of absolutely pure blood. 
This belief in pure blood is based upon the fact that the first 
cross of an Angora upon a common doe yields a fleece in which 
kemp largely predominates, and that as the crosses become higher 
the quantity of kemps grow less. That point has not yet been 
reached, however, where it can be said that a strain has been pro- 
duced which has no kemp whatever, although a few breeders in this 
country and in South Africa appear to have very nearly reached 
that very desirable result. This is the principal end to which 
breeders should lend their best efforts at this time. It is the 
most difficult quality to obtain. Length, strength, fineness, and 
luster may all respond readily to the intelligence of the breeder, 
but kemp is stubborn. The hope is confidently expressed by the 
best breeders that a strain of Angora goats will yet be produced 
which will be entirely free from kemp. 

The spirit of the goat men who meet annually in Kansas City 
in attendance upon the meetings of the American Angora Goat 
Breeders' Association, shows that they were not only willing but 
anxious to undertake the solution of this problem. While all 
these men were familiar with kemp and knew that it was a dele- 
terious feature of mohair, not many of them knew before these 
meetings were held bow objectionable it really is to the manufac- 
turer and consequently how much it tends toward keeping the 
price of mohair low. 

At Kansas City the mohair producer and the mohair manu- 
facturer met each other for the first time in this country. The 
presence of both being in the interests of the Angora goat indus- 
try. George G. Emery, of Sanford, Me., addressed the Associa- 
tion on several occasions, his theme each time bearing upon the 
quality of fiber required by the manufacturer. He displayed a 
large assortment of goods, using them to supplement his argument 
concerning the uses and value of good mohair as compared with 
the poorer grades. The goat men showed a disposition to learn 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 83 

all that is required by the manufacturers and determined to re- 
double their efforts toward a higher standard for their flocks. The 
large price of $1,050 was paid for the buck Columbia Pasha at 
the Kansas City goat show in 1901 and $1,400 for Aztec in 1902, 
principally because of their freedom from kemp. It is true that 
their fleeces were fine and long and their bodies were fully cov- 
ered, but the appearance of the animals as they stood in the pen 
(their size and carriage), although they were "good lookers," had 
comparatively little weight with the judges, who gave to them the 
sweepstake prize as the best bucks of all ages in the show. 

Why Kemp Is Objectionable. 

The reason why kemp is objectionable is that it will not take 
the dyes used for mohair; the only effect of the dyes is slightly to 
discolor the kemp. There are dyes, it is true, which act upon 
kemp, but they have no effect upon mohair ; and the best efforts put 
forth have not yet resulted in a mixture of dyes that act satis- 
factorily upon both mohair and kemp at the same time. The 
only solution, therefore, is to remove kemp from fleeces which 
enter into the manufacture of fabrics in which it is undesirable. 

Kemp appears in its worst phase in plushes, where every indi- 
vidual hair shows prominently. Its presence here is much more 
pronounced than when in the fleece, where it is nearly the same 
color of the mohair. It is therefore of great importance that 
this objectionable substance should be removed from the fleeces. 
If any kemp should escape the eye and be woven into the plush 
fabric, it would not be discovered until the fabric came from 
the dye, for it must be remembered that mohair plushes are woven 
"in the white," and afterwards (perhaps several months or a year) 
are dyed according to instructions to fill orders. Kemp, at this 
stage of the process, becomes an expensive proposition, for skillful 
hands must burl out every fiber of it as well as every other bit of 
foreign substance. In the cheaper plushes, such as are largelv 
used in street cars, there is a considerable quantity of kemp. Much 
of this material may also be used without detriment in the manu- 
facture of rugs. 

The problem of the mohair manufacturer is the same as that 
of the mohair grower — how to get rid of kemp; and the burden 
of his meditations is to devise some sort of machinery that will do 
the work perfectly. American ingenuity has so far failed to in- 
vent such a machine; and so the manufacturer finds it necessary 
to call upon the breeder to produce mohair without kemp. The 
solution of the problem, therefore, appears to be with the breeder 
rather than the manufacturer. 



84 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

But the fact remains that the mills must get rid of kemp in 
some way, and the device which they use for the purpose is a 
machine which combs it out; but while the comb is removing 
the kemp it removes at the same time every mohair fiber of equal 
length with the kemp. This means that if the mohair going into 
this comb has kemp 3 inches long all mohair fibers up to 3 inches 
in length must go out with it. The result is heavy loss. True, 
there is a use for this mixture of kemp and short mohair, as hereto- 
fore stated, in the manufacture of cheap goods, such as horse 
blankets and filling for carpets, and also for stuffing saddles, and 
it has a value ranging from 7 to probably 10 cents per pound. 
From the breeder's standpoint this residue from the combs will 
be considered as a loss, and he must figure it as wastage. This 
wastage runs from 5 to 40 per cent. It is eminently proper to 
quote here the opinion of one who has spent many years in fabri- 
cating mohair, namely, George B. Goodall, of Sanford, Me. : "A 
majority of the mohair growers in this country little realize how 
much kemp has to do in keeping down values of their clips. If 
they could spend a few hours in our sorting and combing rooms, 
the lesson learned would be of great value to them — more than 
could be obtained by reading. In watching the combs at work 
they would notice some making 5, 10, or 12 per cent of noil or 
waste, while others will be taking out 30 or 40 per cent. Ask the 
comber the reason of this, and he will reply that one lot has a 
much larger amount of kemp than the other. One fiber of kemp 
takes out five or six good fibers which should go into yarn." 

The thought has probably already occurred to the breeder that 
the longer the kemp the greater the wastage. But how can kemp 
be shortened? is the question of importance next to getting rid 
of it altogether. It is generally accepted as a fact that long kemp 
is evidence that the animal producing it is bred up from long- 
haired Mexican does, while short kemp is a relic of short-haired 
does, such as are quite common in suburbs of large cities. If this 
be true, the point is already made that, in building up a flock 
from common does as the foundation, none but short-haired ones 
should be used. 

Let it be said in passing, however, that there are so many thor- 
oughbred and high-grade Angoras in this country now that the 
reason or necessity for crossing upon common goats does not exist 
as it did several years ago. To continue the practice is to con- 
tinue the injection of kemp into Angora blood. The crossing upon 
common stock has been done with the double purpose in view of 
increasing the flocks more rapidly and of infusing stronger blood 
into the Angoras. As stated above, the necessity for the first is 




GEO. B. GOOD ALL. 



86 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

probably past; with regard to the second, it can be said that 
there are now in the country strains of Angoras which are as large 
and vigorous as any common goats may be. These might be used 
to impart constitution to the delicate flocks. 

Finally, concerning kemp, its presence in mohair is not ob- 
jectionable on the score of durability, for it has lasting proper- 
ties, but its coarseness and its inability to take mohair dyes make- 
it undesirable. 

Durability of Mohair Fabrics. 

The durability of mohair and mohair manufactures is well 
known to those who are familiar with their use. Statements 
which to some may seem incredible are on record, but there is 
no good reason to doubt their accuracy. S. Holmes Pegler, author 
of the excellent English work, "The book of the goat," states that 
in 1881 the Duke of Wellington imported a half dozen Angoras 
from the Cape, and many of the clothes worn by the duke were 
from the fleeces of these goats, and he continues: "I myself pos- 
sess an overcoat made from the same stuff, presented to me by 
his Grace, which promises to be everlasting as regards wear." Dr. 
James B. Davis, who first introduced Angoras into the United 
States, having himself brought them from Asia Minor, says in 
an article which he published in the Annual Eeport of the De- 
partment of Agriculture for 1853: "I have socks which I have 
worn for six years and are yet perfectly sound." A friend of the 
writer states that he has had one mohair rug at his office door for 
twelve years, and it does not yet show much wear, while the luster 
and color remain as distinct as when new. Ladies who have worn 
mohair crepons and brilliantines are all aware of the wonderful 
durability of this fiber. 

Strange as it may appear upon first thought, it is the durability 
of mohair dress goods that has prevented their more extensive 
use heretofore. The first cost being somewhat high, they have not 
generally been worn by people whose principal aim is durability 
in the purchase of clothing. They have been subject to the ca- 
prices of fashion, being "all the style" one year and "out of style" 
the next. This has naturally restricted their use largely to that 
class of people who could afford to discard them before wearing 
them out. 

Influence of Food and Care of Goats on Fiber. 

Any wool, grower knows that feed and care have a very great 
influence upon the weight and fineness of the fleece. The same 
is applicable to mohair growing as well. If goats are exposed to 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 87 

sudden changes of weather, the effect is shown in the fleece. Un- 
der adverse conditions an individual mohair will show contrac- 
tions, which greatly reduce its "stretch" and "strain." This point 
is fully covered in the quotation already made from Dr. William 
McMurtrie, and need not he further mentioned here. 

John S. Harris, one of the early breeders of Angora goats, 
and who is a man of good observation and rare judgment, says 
that the finest and evenest mohair is from goats which feed upon 
grass. He says that brush is "pie" to goats, and a little pie will do 
no harm, but all pie is not good. While this is contrary to the 
opinion of most breeders, the experience of one who has so long 
been raising goats should not be hastily cast aside. 

S. C. Cronwright Sehreiner says: "If goats are to produce the 
best fleeces they are capable of, they must be maintained in un- 
interrupted good condition. They must have a variety of food, 
principally shrubs and aromatic plants, and lead an active life ; 
they must, if possible, have running water to drink, and be kept 
free from dust; they must not be kraaled (or shedded) except 
when absolutely necessary ; they must have clean sleeping places, 
and must not be crowded together. 

It is the opinion of the writer that the many important points 
concerning length, strength, and fineness of fleeces should be the 
subject of scientific experimentation, which experimentation should 
include the effects of feed and climate. The results of an investi- 
gation of this character would answer as well for the sheep in- 
dustry of our country, with its annual wool production of 289,- 
000,000 pounds, as for the growing mohair industry, for the same 
conditions govern with both fibers. 

Prices of JTIoliair. 

A long chapter might be written about the reputed prices ob- 
tained for mohair during the first few years after the introduc- 
tion of Angora goats into this country ; but as there were no mills 
in this country at that time which were able to fabricate the 
fleeces, and as the quantity of mohair produced was very limited 
and of uncertain quality, and as there appears to be no definite 
data available of sales made at the enormous prices which are 
sometimes referred to, it would seem that no useful purpose will 
be subserved by discussing the prices of that period. Attention 
will be given, therefore, to the prices of the present, for these 
are the prices which interest the mohair growers of to-day. 

What has been said in previous paragraphs about varying quali- 
ties of mohair has no doubt suggested the thought that prices 
also are very variable, which is true, It is not the qur iity alone 



88 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

which affects the price, but supply and demand, which affect all 
articles of commerce, play a very important part. It was decreed 
by Dame Fashion last year, for instance, that mohair dress goods 
were not in style, and the effect of this decree was to reduce the 
value of mohair. Other causes, a principal one of which was a 
very limited demand for car plush, also contributed to the cause 
of low prices. 

To give a brief answer to the question, What is mohair worth? 
is not possible. There are more grades of mohair than there are 
of wool, and there has so far been no effort on the part of mohair 
producers to so sort their fleeces as to enable them to receive the 
highest price for each class, but they have been content to sell 
it in one mixed lot. This always tends to reduce the price below 
its real worth, because the purchaser, not knowing exactly what 
he is buying, protects himself with a low price. The features that 
make for low prices are shortness and coarseness of fiber and the 
presence of kemp, burs, and dirt of all kinds. There were on 
exhibition at the recent Kansas City show some fleeces which 
looked as if they might have been raked out of a filthy hog pen; 
these had been sold at 7 cents per pound, while other fleeces in 
the same exhibit were worth 40 cents per pound. 

Probably the average price paid for mohair during the season 
of 1901 was about 25 cents per pound. It was a little higher in 
1902. The product of the lower crosses, which contains a large 
percentage of kemp, brings a low price (10 to 15 cents), while 
there were some fleeces that brought 40 cents. There is not a 
large quantity of this latter quality of hair produced in this 
country, for the reason that the breeders have not given the mat- 
ter proper attention.. There is a great demand for the better 
hair, while the lower grades, which enter into the manufacture 
of carpets and horse blankets, find direct competition in wool. 

In this connection it should be stated that the coarsest and 
longest hair is just now bringing very high prices. L. Levussove, 
of New York City, has been buying all of this kind that he could 
secure, paying from $1 to $2 per pound for it. This grade of 
hair is used in the manufacture of wigs, doll hair, etc. How 
much of a demand there may be for this quality of hair is a mat- 
ter difficult to determine, but at this time Mr. Levussove can 
not secure an ample supply. It is obvious that the hair must be 
very long. 

While on the subject of prices we will quote from a recent 
address by George G. Emery, of Sanford Mills, Sanford, Me.: 
"I have read where prices as high as 45 cents per pound have been 
paid this season for domestic mohair. Now, such statements 




AMERICAN MOHAIR. 
" Slipey" hair on left. Coarse hair next. Then good hair. 



90 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 



should be followed by an explanation, otherwise false hopes are 
apt to be raised in the minds of the growers, which hopes, in my 
opinion, are not to be realized. I can take any bale from among 
the hundreds sent us yearly from the State of Oregon (and the 
same applies to the twelve mont'hs' growth of Texas hair ; in fact, 
in any State producing mohair to-day), and I can find mohair 
which is worth 45 cents per pound and even more, but the per- 
centage of the low grades, worth from 18 cents to 20 cents, is so 
much greater and so far overbalances the fine as to bring the 
value as a lot to a much lower figure. I have seen some very 
choice domestic mohair, but the amount of such hair is very small 
When compared with the total production of the country." 

Prices in the Cape of Good Hope have ranged about the same 
as in our own country. 

The great mohair manufacturing center of the world is Brad- 
ford, England, and .as it will be interesting to many to see the 
prices which mohair has brought in that city during a long series 
of years, the following table is prepared from data compiled from 
the Bradford Observer by the National Association of Wool Manu- 
facturers : 

RANGE OP PRICES OF MOHAIR AT BRADFORD, ENGLAND, FROM 1856 TO 1894. 



Year. 


Cents. 


Year. 


Cents. 


Year. 


Cents. 


1856 

1857 


48 to 56 

56 to 66 

... 60 to 72 


1869 

1870 

1871 


86 to 88 

78 to 84 


1882 

1883 


38 to 45 

40 to 43 


1858 


1884 


37 to 45 


1 859 . 


72 


18~2 

1873 


82 to 90 

73 to 80 


1885 

1886 

1887 

1888 

1889 


28 to 36 


1860 


..... 76 


23 to 32 


1861 

1862 

1863 

1864 

1865 

1866 

1867 

1868 


76 

73 to 78 

80 to 88 

78 

70 

80 

66 to 90 

....... 58 to 76 


1874 

1875 

1876 

1877 

1878 

1879 

1880 

1881 


70 to 90 

83 to 93 

86 

60 to 70 

60 to 66 

36 to 54 

43 to 54 

38 to 43 


25 to 29 

U to 28 

25 to 42 


1890 

1891 

1892 

1893 

1894 


27 to 36 

24 to 28 

24 to 29 

24 to 37 

27 to 31 



But what of prices in the future? This is the important ques- 
tion with the breeder, and it is one that is difficult to answer. It 
seems likely that there will be an increasing demand for mohair 
in the classes of goods which now consume it, to say nothing of 
the new uses that may be developed ; hence it may be expected that 
the demand will be strong. On the other hand, there will doubt- 
less be an increased production, which will have a tendency to 
lower the price. There are so many uses for mohair already estab- 
lished in the world that it is not believed that prices will ever 
faJl to a level with wool. One prominent manufacturer of mohair 
goods expresses the opinion that the "average prices paid this 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 91 

year (1901) can be considered as low-water mark." This was 
about 25 cents a pound, as stated above. 

The American Wood and Cotton Eeporter states that with an 
increased production of Angora goats in this country, and the 
consequently enlarged production of mohair, the latter is going 
to be consumed more largely than heretofore, and is, indeed, al- 
ready "cutting more of a figure in the wool market." 

The domestic product is favored by a tariff of 12 cents per 
pound on the imported article. 

Mohair Manufacturers. 

The first striking feature of mohair manufactures is their 
great beauty. The luster of the hair, which is so pronounced 
even while it grows upon the goat, remains in the manufactured 
goods, and no amount of washing and no character of dye will 
remove it. It aids the dyes to show their colors more effectively 
and imparts to the goods the pleasing property of changing shades 
in shifting lights, which is a feature quite characteristic of silk 
goods. 

A second feature of importance is that the dyes are usually 
fast, and however much such goods may be exposed to the elements 
they will not fade. In the best mills fugitive dyes are not used 
except when an order is received to match a sample which has 
been treated with such dyes'; for a fugitive dye can not be matched 
by a fast one, nor can a fast d} r e serve for a fugitive one. 

The durability of mohair goods has been quite fully discussed 
in connection with the durability of the fiber composing them. 
It is a characteristic that ought to make their use economical in 
many ways. This should be the case especially with dress goods 
and other wearing apparel. 

Mohair manufactures already have a very extensive use, but 
they appear in the stores under so many trade names that only 
a few people, comparatively, know that they are the product of 
the Angora fleece. These manufactures are so varied, and the 
fiber adapted to so many things which are now made of wool or 
cotton, that no attempt will be made here to give a complete list 
of them, but a recital of some of the principal uses of mohair 
goods will be made, in order that it may become generally known 
how extensive is their use at the present time, and some idea 
formed of the possibility of extending the use of mohair to other 
lines of manufacture. 

By far the most important product of mohair manufacture is 
plushes. It is a fact not generally known that practically all of 
the plushes used in railroad passenger cars are made of mohair ; 



g2 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

so also are the plushes used in street cars. How much is used 
annually in the pasenger cars of our country can only be con- 
jectured. The report of the Interstate Commerce Commission 
for the fiscal year of 1899 shows that there was an increase of 
244 cars over the previous year; let us add to this a number suf- 
ficient to take the place of those worn out, which probably can not 
be less than 200, thus giving a total of 444 new passenger coaches 
each year. Each coach requires at least 120 yards of plush, and 
the total quantity required for the 444 cars would be 53,280 yards. 
This is an underestimate rather than an overestimate. During 
the year mentioned there were in service in the United States 
16,785 first-class passenger cars, 3,063 second-class cars, 4,206 
combination cars, 464 parlor cars, and 488 sleeping cars — total, 
25,006. This means that there were in use that year 3,000,720 
yards of plush. Add to this all that is used in street cars, omni- 
buses, etc., for which there is no basis for an estimate, and we 
may conclude that its use for such purposes is enormous. 

Besides the car plushes, which are usually plain, large quan- 
tities of frieze and crush plushes arc used in upholstering furni- 
ture. The designs for the frieze plushes are limited only by the 
ingenuity of man. The skill of the fabricator is so well developed 
that the threads forming the designs are in loops and of different 
color, yet the whole is woven at one time "in the white" and 
afterwards colored in the same dye. The crush plushes are very 
handsome, showing to best advantage the effects of varying lights 
upon solid colors. This kind is largely utilized in upholstering 
armchairs, but finds large use also in other kinds of furniture. 
The carriage robes, couch covers, sofa-pillow covers, and rugs are 
distinguished by their high pile and rich coloring. The pile upon 
the carriage robes and sofa-pillow covers is about half an inch 
high. The robes sometimes have the pile on one side only, but 
many are made with the pile on both sides. The coloring is 
most exquisite, as is true of the sofa-pillow covers and couch 
covers. These colors are printed on by hand after the pieces are 
woven, and are rendered indelible by long steaming. Bugs neces- 
sarily require more modest covering, but all the richness of sub- 
dued colors and luster remain to make them a distinctly beautiful 
as well as useful ornament. These goods have not long been upon 
the market, but they can hardly fail to attract attention and ad- 
vance in favor. 

Most of the so-called astrakhan now in use so extensively is 
made of mohair. It has all the beauty of the real article, is much 
more durable, will never change its shade in sunlight or air, and 
is in no manner inferior to real astrakhan. 




TURKISH KID FLEECE. 



94 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

Plain mohair dress goods (brilliantines) and mohair crepons 
are common and well known for their durability. There is no 
other kind of cloth which is more easily cleaned or Which retains 
its newness for a longer period. For this reason brilliantines are 
especially popular for traveling dresses. Mohair crepons are more 
beautiful, but also more expensive, costing from $1.25 to $5 a yard. 
The cheaper grades are woven upon a cotton base, and go to pieces 
sooner than when woven upon a wool base. In crepons there is 
sometimes an admixture of silk. 

It would be very difficult to enumerate the many ways that 
mohair might be used in manufactures. Besides plushes, which 
form the principal item, there may be mentioned dress goods of 
various designs, coats and coat lining, table covers, knit mits, 
mittens, gloves, etc., which are already on the market. It has 
been found that mohair cloth is the only kind that will stand the 
strain in the expressment of cottonseed oil, and there is a grow- 
ing demand for it for this purpose. A suggestion has recently 
been made that mohair could be manufactured into tent and sail 
cloth and rain coats, having as its qualification durability, light- 
ness in weight, and immunity from molding. Mohair cloth will 
not only turn water, but will hold Avater like a skin if the water 
is not beaten through it. A piece of brilliantine in the form 
of a bag and holding a glass full of water has been known to hang 
all day and not a drop passed through it during that time. John 
S. Harris recently informed the writer that he possessed mohair 
cloth 40 years of age which would hold water in the same manner. 
Tent and sail cloths would necessarily be heavier, and be even 
more effective in turning water. It is argued that the extra cost 
of this kind of cloth for these purposes is more than compensated 
for in the matter of durability and lightness of weight. 

History of Plush Manufacture in the United States. 

Prior to the year 1881 practically all of the plushes which 
were used in the United States were imported from two countries 
— France and Germany; and in no one plant in either of these 
countries Avas the process of manufacture carried on from start to 
finish. The merchant imported his mohair yarns from England. 
This yarn Avas made up into Avarps and sent to a house Avhich 
contained one, two, or more hand looms, and AAwen into' the fabric; 
generally the head of the house had a son or daughter Avho assisted 
him, he throwing the shuttle and beating up the loom, Avhile the 
child pulled out the >vires. The production A\^as from 2 to 3 yards 
a day, Avorking from fourteen to fifteen hours. After a cut, say 
40 yards, are woven, it Avas then taken by the Aveaver to the ware- 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 95 

house of the merchant, who sent it to a dyeing and finishing estab- 
lishment, after which it was ready for the market. 

It is only within a very short time that in France and Ger- 
many these goods have been manufactured on power looms in 
special factories, and even to-day the mohair yarn is all made in 
England, but the plants, instead of distributing the yarn as here- 
tofore, now take it into their own factories, where it is woven, 
dyed, and finished. 

George B. Goodall was the projector of the mohair plush in- 
dustry in Sanford, Me. He began experimenting in 1881, and 
with his own hands placed the first mohair warp in a wire-power 
loom, and it was he who wove the first piece of plush. As soon 
as he had demonstrated that mohair plush could be made on a 
power loom, a company, composed of the three brothers — George, 
Louis, and Ernest Goodall — was organized for the purpose of 
entering upon this manufacture. A first-class inventor was con- 
sulted, and the perfect working wire-motion power loom now in 
use at the mill was the final result. The company started with 
one loom; they now have one hundred and sixty in operation, with 
a number of new ones in process of construction. 

The struggle at the beginning Avas one that would have dis- 
couraged ninety-nine men out of a hundred. Weeks and months 
passed before a piece of plush that could be termed perfect was 
produced, but perseverance conquered. 

As a result of the manufacture of car and furniture mohair 
plushes on power looms, where the production was from fifteen to 
twenty yards a day, the prices have been very materially lower 
in this country, and within six or seven years from the beginning 
of the manufacture prices were reduced fully 50 per cent. 

Besides the Sanford Mills, mentioned above, the Massachusetts 
Mohair Plush Company, at Lowell, Mass., as its name signifies, 
manufactures plushes, having begun this line of work in 1892. 
For several years these mills used imported mohair almost entirely, 
but in 1896, finding an improvement in the domestic product, 
they began to use the latter very largely. 

These facts of history ansAver conclusively the frequent inquiry 
whether mohair plushes are made in the United States. The 
statistics of mohair consumption in 1899 sIioav that our mills 
consumed not only all of the domestic product but over a million 
pounds of imported mohair. 

As the domestic supply increases and improA r es, other mills 
will consume much of it. Some do not use it at this time because 
it is difficult to obtain a supply such as Avould warrant the pur- 
chase of the special machinery required. 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE MEAT, THE MARKETS., AND THE MILK. 



Lnjjora Mutton. 



The features of the Angora industry which have received most 
attention from the general public so far are their habits of de- 
stroying brushwood and their ability to produce mohair. Their 
availability as a meat producer has long been well known, how- 
ever, to those who have been raising them, and the meat is, with- 
out exception, pronounced by those who have eaten of it to be the 
ecpial of any lamb. Some are sure that they can detect a sweet- 
ness not characteristic of lamb, but the truth is that most people 
would be unable to detect any difference between Angora meat and 
mutton, if feeding conditions in both cases had been the same. 
Indeed, thousands of them even now are sold upon the markets of 
Kansas City, where they are slaughtered and canned or put in 
cold storage and sold everywhere as lamb. This is simply the 
continuation of a practice adopted by the slaughterhouses when 
there was the most deep-seated prejudice against goat meat. At 
this time, however, that prejudice is rapidly waning, and soon 
there will be no difficulty in disposing of xVngoras for meat in any 
place in this country. 

This prejudice against goat mutton is founded upon ignorance 
rather than experience. The most ill-smelling "billy" of the 
worst possible type is made the standard of goat flesh for the 
whole goat family. As far back as Abraham's day we read of 
goats being used for meat, and this, too, when there were many 
cattle and sheep. Certainly there was no prejudice against them at 
that time. 

The flesh of the Angora is exceedingly nutritious and pala- 
table. Shropshire lambs, which are considered as among the best 
kinds of meat, are said not to be superior to a well-fed and well- 
cooked kid. In the Southwest these animals are as readily sold 
for meat as sheep, and the market has never been overstocked. A 
gentleman in Texas found a ready market for his canned Angora 
mutton, but was compelled to close his cannery because the supply 
of goats was not nearly sufficient to supply the demand. In the 
Northwest, in nearly every locality some have been killed for mut- 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 97 

ton, and there has never been a derogatory statement concerning 
the quality of the meat. 

In Cape Colony it is said that the old does are slaughtered 
to furnish meat for farm hands and young wethers are sold to 
butchers in the town. In California many miners purchase An- 
gora wethers in preference to sheep wethers for salting down for 
winter use, because, as they state, the Angora contains less fat, is 
more easily kept, and is just as palatable. 

John W. Fulton, who is much interested in exploiting the An- 
gora goat industry in Montana and other parts of the Northwest, 
recently distributed Angora mutton to several prominent residents 
of Helena, and he has permitted the writer to copy a few letters 
which he received concerning the meat. The first one is from Hon. 
J. K. Toole, governor of Montana : "Referring to the Angora goat 
venison, which you were kind enough to send me, I am pleased to 
say that it formed a very satisfactory part of our Christmas dinner. 
We touched it rather gingerly at first through a sort of prejudice, 
but all agree that it was a very near approach to real venison." 

This is from Hon. J. A. Ferguson, commissioner of the Bureau 
of Agriculture, Labor and Industry: "It is with much pleasure 
that I take this opportunity of expressing a very favorable opinion 
of Angora venison as a welcome addition to the usual meats upon 
a bill of fare. It is sweet, juicy and palatable — preferable to ven- 
ison, pork, or mutton. A knowledge of the good qualities of Angora 
venison will surely lead to its adoption as a regular food, and it 
ought not to be difficult to develop a profitable demand for such a 
toothsome article." 

And this from A. M. Holter, a prominent wholesale hardware 
dealer: "In reply to your inquiry will say that we have used An- 
gora venison at our house on several occasions, and my opinion is 
that, when it is properly cooked, it compares favorably with mut- 
ton in every respect, and personally I prefer it." 

Hon. F. D. Coburn, Secretary of the Kansas State Board of 
Agriculture, speaks in highest terms of Angora mutton. 

Helena, Mont., Jan. 9th, 1903. 
Mr. Jno. W. Fulton, 

Secretary Montana Angora Goat Co., Helena, Mont. 
Dear Sir: — It gives me great pleasure to express to you my 
favorable opinion of Angora meat, such as you were kind enough 
to send me, which I found to be very delicious and sweet when 
properly cooked, and will compare favorably with meat of like 
species. I see no reason why the meat of Angora goat should not 



98 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 



become popular, and believe it will when the animals are properly 
fattened and put on sale in the markets. 

Yours respectfully, T. C. Power. 

Helena, Mont., Jan. 16th, 1903. 
Mr. J. W. Fulton, 

Secretary Angora Goat Co., Helena, Mont. 
Dear Sir : — Some little time ago I had the pleasure of receiving 
from you a roast of Angora venison. I desire to express my appre- 
ciation of your kindness, and say that I found it very palatable. 
As an article of food I believe it to be quite satisfactory. 
Yours very truly, 

Geo. M. Hays, Secretary of State. 

It would not be a difficult matter to compile a thousand 
endorsements of the use of goat's flesh, but it would be difficult 
to find any one who would condemn it after using it. Opinions 
are given herewith of only a few of the representative breeders in 
this country: 

From W. G. Hughes & Co., Hastings, Tex. — "The Angora is 
much more nutritious than sheep mutton, especially where the 
meat is grown on underbrush (leaves), as the following compila- 
tion of relative values of feed will show : 



Character of Z?eed. 


Protein. 


Starch, etc. 


Fats. 




Per cent. 

3.5 
4.5 
5.2 
3.3 


Per cent. 

9.7 
10.1 
15.2 

7 


Per cent. 
0.8 




1.0 




1.5 




0.7 







"It is often prescribed by physicians for invalids and children 
for this reason. The meat is excellent, and not distinguishable 
from mutton of the same age and condition. It is largely sold 
as such in many of the larger markets, being regarded as a staple 
in the districts where it is raised." 

From C. P. Bailey & Sons Co., San Jose, CaL— "The young 
wethers make the best of mutton. The meat is rich and juicy and 
free from the strong taste so common to the meat of the common 
goat. I consider it equal to mutton. We have sold hundreds of 
head for mutton, always reserving the skins, which are worth 
green from 75 cents to $2 each." 

From H. T. Fuchs, Marble Falls, Tex.— "Anybody who has 
ever tasted a roasted or barbecued piece of Angora mutton will 




REGISTERED DOES AND FIVE YOUNG BUCKS. 
On Ranch of W. G. Hughes & Co., Hastings, Tex. 



LofC. 



100 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

find it better than any meat they ever tasted. Angora mutton is 
worth in the markets about the same as sheep mutton. I sell it 
to my neighbors at 4!/o cents per pound, and in town I sell it at 
5 and 6 cents per pound." 

From George A. Houck, Eugene, Oreg. — "It is better than 
mutton, being free from the oily taste of sheep meat and partaking 
somewhat of the flavor of wild meat." 

Angora mutton should be cooked longer than sheep mutton. If 
this is not done disappointment is almost certain. Well fattened 
old goats, if thoroughly cooked, may be made tender and palatable. 

There is not much to be said about the flesh of the common 
goat. It is not so generally used as that of the Angora, and in 
quality is not to be classed with it. The kids of the common 
goats, however, are considered very fine, and in some parts of 
the South many grown animals are slaughtered. 

Flavor of Angora Mutton. 

A fact noted in connection with Angora mutton, if the goat 
has been fattened principally on brushwood and weeds, is that it 
has the game flavor common to the flesh of deer and other wild 
game. It is this flavor which has given the name ""venison" by 
some to the flesh of the Angora. There is no reason to doubt the 
presence of this flavor, for it is well known that flavor may not 
only be fed into meat, but into milk and eggs as well. All game 
flavor disappears when the animals are fed grain and grass. 

One of the first and most important questions that arises in the 
mind of one who may contemplate engaging in the Angora goat 
raising is, Is there a market for the products? The same ques- 
tion arises in connection with any other line of stock raising or 
commercial enterprise, and it must be answered satisfactorily if 
there is to be an investment. 

Markets for Goats for Meat. 

It can not be said at this time that there is or will be a market 
for goats as steady as that for sheep, for the reason that compara- 
tively few have entered the regular channels of live stock trade; 
but it can be said that those which have been placed upon the 
market have been sold without difficulty. Usually the price has 
been a little below the ruling price for sheep, but it has frequently 
occurred at Kansas City (where most goats have so far been mar- 
keted) that a bunch of Angora wethers has brought more than 
sheep on the same day. This is where they are slaughtered and 
put upon the retail market as dressed mutton or used for canning. 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 101 

The time will soon come when dressed Angora will he called for, 
and it will bring as good a price as mutton. 

There is room now for the Angora as a meat animal. Cattle, 
sheep, and hogs are all bringing very high prices and Angora 
prices are high also, in sympathy with them. The live question 
just now, however, is not so much where to market them as where 
to get them. If the industry develops from the best breeding 
stock, with the purpose of mohair production in view, there will 
not be any considerable number to go upon the market for some 
time. Wethers are good mohair producers for seven or eight 
years; they may be then fattened for market, and then become 
excellent meat. The demand for a better quality of mohair will 
have a tendency to throw the poorer grade of goats upon the market 
as meat, but this quality will grow fewer and fewer every year. 
From the standpoint of mohair production alone, it Avould be a 
grand thing for the industry if three-fourths or more of the An- 
goras in the country at this time could be sent to the slaughter- 
house. 

For some time to come, as in the past, many breeders will 
continue the practice of building up Angora flocks by crossing 
Angora bucks upon common does, and then upon the does of the 
first, second, and third crosses, and so on. The males resulting 
from such crossing must not be permitted to grow to breeding 
age. They should be castrated early, for they sometimes breed 
when very young. The only use to which such wethers can be 
put is to convert them into meat. The flesh from such crosses 
is considered to be nearly as good as that of the higher grades. 

The Milk of Angoras. 

The Angora is not primarily a milch goat and is not often 
employed for that purpose. Information at hand shows that the' 
quantity of milk given by an Angora doe is uncertain, and in 
exceptional cases only does it approach in quantity that produced 
by the established breeds of milch goats, such as the Toggenburger, 
Saanen, Maltese, and Nubian. Evidently the reason why the An- 
gora is so uncertain in milk production is because it has never 
been bred with that end in view. The established breeds of milch 
goats have become such after long years of careful breeding — the 
selection of individuals with specially developed characteristics. 
This is necessary to insure quantity, quality, and duration of 
lactation. 

There appears to be no reason why the Angora might not be 
developed into a very fair milch goat if such a thing were desirable. 
But it is deemed wiser to charge the Angora with the duty of 



102 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 



producing a good fleece and raising a strong and healthy kid. 
When she does this, she does well. The hair on a good Angora 
covers the entire body alike, and thus it greatly interferes with 
the operation of milking. 

In the Southwest, where the practice of crossing the Angora 
upon the common and Mexican does has been in vogue, it is said 
that a good milch animal is frequently produced. The milking 
strain is very apt, in such cases, to come from the side of the 
common or Mexican doe. It is stated upon the authority of some 
of the oldest breeders of the country that the likelihood of finding 
a good milch goat among Angoras diminishes as the grade of the 
animal is raised. 

In this connection the remarks of William G. de Coligny, 
formerly a government officer of Ecuador (now of Springfield, 
Mass.), and one who had experience in that country with cross- 
bred Angoras and Nubian goats for milk, are full of interest. 
"The Angora goat in itself is not a good milch goat at all, but 
crossed with the Nubian, or Upper Egypt, goat, becomes quite a 
good milch goat," He states that from such crosses produced in 
Ecuador the daily yield of milk per head was about 2>y 2 liters. 
The crossing of the Nubian and common goat of Ecuador produced 
a goat with a milk yield of 3Vo liters. 

There is an abundance of authority that goafs milk is more 
nearly equal to human milk than that of any other animal, and 
that of the Angora is equal to that of any other breed of goats. 
An anlysis of goat's milk for the British Goat Society, with an 
analysis of cow's milk also for comparison, is shown in the table 
below. The cow's milk was from a cow which had been a winner 
at a dairy show : 

COMPARISON OF ANALYSIS OF GOAT'S AND COW'S MILK. 



Water 

Butter fat 

Casein 

Milk sugar 
Ash 

Total .. 



boat's Milk. 



Per cent. 
83.21 
7.30 

4.18 
4.10 
1.21 



100 



Cow's Milk. 



Per cent. 

87.56 

3.63 

&si 



The special reason why the milk of the goat is considered so 
beneficial is that it is not likely to contain the germs of tubercu- 
losis. Bovine tuberculosis is so prevalent now-a-days that many 
people will not touch it if it is not sterilized. .Goats are practically 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 



103 



immune to tuberculosis. It is true that goats will have this dis- 
ease if they are inoculated with it, but they are not at all likely 
to contract it otherwise. The reader, if interested, is advised to 
read the discussion of tuberculosis in the chapter on "Milch goats." 




CHAPTER VHI. 

LOCALITIES ADAPTED TO ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 
The Question of Cliniate. 

So far as temperature is concerned, no place has been found 
that is too hot or too cold for Angoras. Although not partial to 
heat, they will endure it quite as well as sheep. Shade is essential 
to success if the sunshine is very warm. 

The climate of Angora, where the breed originated and is still 
supposed to flourish in its more perfect state, is extreme. A tem- 
perature as high as 85° F. is registered in the summer and as low 
as 0° F. in the winter. The United States presents a wider range 
of temperature, where, in southern Texas and New Mexico, it may 
go above 100° F. in the summer, and in Idaho as low as 
30° F. below zero in winter. The range of localities where An- 
goras have done well is from Guadalupe Islands, in the Lesser 
Antilles, to Ukamak Island, belonging to the Alaska Peninsula. 
M. L. Washburn, superintendent for the Alaska Commercial Com- 
pany at Kadiak, says: "On Ukamak Island we have a flock of 
Angora goats, which have increased GO per cent a year since they 
were placed there. They have given very good results in mohair, 
some of which is of good quality and fine texture." William M. 
Landrum is quoted as follows : "White goats can stand any amount 
of cold and snow, but sleet and wind are very injurious. On the 
other hand, they can endure the scorching heat of the Tropics. 
Their fleece is best at an altitude of from 3,000 to 6,000 feet above 
the sea level. The fleece never sheds on the Guadalupe Island, 
210 miles from San Diego, at an altitude of only from 2,000 to 
4,000 feet. I have grown mohair there 2 feet long, of lovely 
texture." 

In considering Angora culture it is of importance to study the 
climate with reference to moisture rather than temperature. It 
should be remembered that the original home of the goat is high 
up in the mountains, where the air is not laden with moisture. 
Under like conditions it thrives best here. 

It is a historical fact that the first effort to transplant the An- 
gora goat outside of Asia was a failure on account of these condi- 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 105 

tions. This was in 1554, when a few individuals were taken to 
Holland, but they soon died, owing to the moist climate. 

The effect of climate has a great deal to do with the character 
of mohair. On this point John S. Harris, of Salem, Oreg., for- 
merly of Oakley, Idaho, a gentleman of much experience, is quo- 
ted: "Mohair grown here in Idaho is very bright when scoured, 
and, owing to the electric currents which exist in the air, the 
hair possesses elasticity, a property requisite to mohair. Goats 
do not grow a long staple here, but, owing to the cold, it is very 
dense. Neither do they grow so heavy a fleece as in a milder cli- 
mate, owing to the dryness of the air." 

Col. W. L. Black, who is a writer upon Angora subjects, and 
whose experience as a breeder covers a period of thirty years and 
more, says that the Angora goat will thrive in any part of our 
country, and the yield of mohair will be greatest in the colder 
States. He estimates that the yield can be increased fully one 
pound by removing the goats from Texas to any of the Northern 
States. Since Colonel Black expressed this opinion, the Angora 
goat industry has spread into every State of the Union and has 
in most particulars confirmed his view. Some who have taken 
them into Northern States and met with losses have been inclined 
to ascribe their misfortune to the change in climatic conditions, 
but there is much room for doubt about this. The condition of 
the goats when shipped, the change in character of feed, exposure 
in many cases to severe weather, and possibly the development 
of disease, are more likely to have been the adverse factors than 
the mere difference in climate. 

Tlie Character of Soil Desirable. 

Almost any kind of soil, except wet and marshy land, is suit- 
able for these goats. Their preference is mountainous or rocky 
land, where they find it necessary to climb hillsides and cliffs to 
browse. Such situations not only afford them the most apparent 
satisfaction in climbing and feeding, but the rocks serve to trim 
the hoofs, which is a matter of importance; for on soils devoid of 
rocks and coarse sand the feet must oftentimes be trimmed by 
hand. 

One thing which is essential to successful goat raising is pure 
drinking water, and no place affords this better than the springs 
and rivulets of hilly and rocky localities. 

It must not be understood, however, that rocks and hills are 
essential, though they afford the ideal to the goat. Some of the 
best goats in this country are on valley lands. As stated above, 
almost all kinds of soil are suitable except wet and marshy land. 



106 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

Goat? are not partial to water in any form — in the soil or as rain, 
snow, or sleet — and they drink a very small amount. It is well 
to remember that Angoras must be kept dry overhead and under- 
foot. 

Goats are as subject to foot rot as are sheep, and this is one 
reason why they should not be kept on wet soil. Such a locality 
has a deleterious effect on the mohair also. 

Land Available for Goat Raising. 

The character of land first suggested as being available for 
goat raising is that part of many thousands of farms which is 
already thickly covered with brushwood or which is gradually 
becoming covered. All through the Eastern and Southern States 
fields which were once in a high state of cultivation are now 
covered by a dense growth of brush and briers. Only the most 
vigorous application of the grubbing hoe and the torch prevents 
the brush from taking every cultivated acre. In some places there 
may be seen corn furrows made so long ago as to enable pine trees 
a foot in diameter to grow up in them since. In the lumber 
regions the removal of the trees gives an impetus to the under- 
bush, which soon becomes an intolerable nuisance. So there are, 
in Michigan and Wisconsin especially, thousands and thousands 
of acres of "stumpage" which are the best of soil and which, when 
the brushwood is removed, may be converted into the best of pas- 
tures for other live stock. These are the available lands which the 
Angora goats are now feeding upon; for they are giving a double 
return to their owners by clearing up the farm and by producing 
mohair. There is enough of this kind of work to engage the atten- 
tion of the Angoras for several years. 

Besides the kind of land mentioned above, there are millions 
of acres of rough mountainous land which are densely covered with 
brushwood, and which, in present condition, are of no economic 
use. Much of this land, if cleared of brush, would become seeded 
by natural methods to blue grass, and thus become good pasture 
land for other live stock. Much of it, too, is useful for nothing 
else than goats; grass will not "come in" after the goats. If the 
goats are removed after it is once cleared, brush will follow again. 
All of this mountainous land will in time become pasture for 
millions of head of Angoras. 

Capt. Almont Barnes, in an article entitled "Keeping goats 
for profit," makes some estimates of the amount of unimproved 
land in the country, basing his calculations upon the reports of 
the Eleventh Census. He finds that the total amount of unim- 
proved land in the United States is 265,000,000 acres. In Maine 



108 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

there are 6,000,000 acres in farms, of which 3,000,000 are im- 
proved; in Georgia are 25,000,000 acres in farms, of which 9,500,- 
000 are improved. He concludes: "There is, however, in the Uni- 
ted States a large, continuous area, embracing over one-third of 
the States and Territories, which invites particular attention in 
connection with this subject. It includes the South Atlantic and 
South Centra] divisions and a part of the Western division of the 
Census groupings, or twenty States and Territories, which together 
contain nearly 285,000,000 acres in farms, of which over 122,- 
000,000 are improved and over 162,000,000, or 57 per cent, unim- 
proved. The average size of farms and the average amounts of 
unimproved land are greater in this area than elsewhere, and the 
climatic conditions are more uniform." 

To give a detailed description of all this land mentioned by 
Captain Barnes would require several large volumes, and can only 
be mentioned in the briefest manner here. 

Few of the people living in New England or west of the Alle- 
gheny Mountains realize how much of the land area of Mary- 
land, the Virginias, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mis- 
sissippi, and Georgia is still in virgin forest or how much is in 
brush and briers where good fields once were cultivated. That land 
which has "gone back," or grown up with brushwood and briers, 
is very cheap. There is an increasing interest in Southern agri- 
culture, and the States mentioned are even now welcoming back 
the Angora goats to their first American homes to do the work 
which is so expensive for man to do. Without the Angora, it may 
be a century before these millions of acres will yield anything 
useful to mankind. With him, they are soon converted into fields, 
pastures, and orchards. 

Piedmont Virginia has considerable forest land, with many 
varieties of oak, hickory, poplar, cedar, chestnut, pine, and other 
timber trees. Of oak there are at least seventeen different varie- 
ties. Most of this area has been cut over, so that there is remain- 
ing no considerable amount of mercantile timber. In several places, 
however, manufacturers are finding it profitable to work up the 
younger growths into spokes, handles, headings, staves, etc., and 
it is claimed that the pine, locally known as "old-field pine," pos- 
sesses large capabilities for utilization in the manufacture of paper 
pulp. What is said of Piedmont Virginia may be said of Pied- 
mont Carolinas and eastern Tennessee. Much of this region is 
already producing, in its northern part, some of the finest apples 
in the world, and, in its southern part, peaches that are of first 
quality. The railroads here, as elsewhere, are doing what they can 
toward the development of this waste land. Readers who may 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 109 

be interested are advised to write to the Land and Industrial 
Agent of the Southern Eailway, Washington, D. C, for detailed 
information concerning available land in any of the States men- 
tioned. 

The conditions obtaining in the stumpage districts of northern 
Michigan are flattering for the Angora industry. Angoras have 
already been tried there, and they do well. As far north as Sidnaw, 
Houghton County, Mich., W. S. Prickett has a considerable num- 
ber, as well as a thousand Shropshire sheep. E. C. Anthony, of 
Negaunee, Marquette County, in the same State, is also succeeding 
with goats. Information concerning every feature of this section 
may be obtained from the Land Commissioner of the Duluth, 
South Shore, and Atlantic Eailway, at Marquette, Mich. E. W. 
McPherran, the present Land Commissioner, furnishes for this 
book the following description of the Michigan peninsula, under 
date of December 8, 1902 : "In Ontonagon County, especially in 
the territory between the east and west branches of the Ontonagon 
Eiver and east of Lake Gogebic, the country was originally taken 
up and covered by homesteaders and large lumbering companies. 
After the pine had been removed from these lands by the various 
parties in interest, lire broke out in the slashings at different times 
during the last fifteen years, and up to six years ago fires literally 
swept that territory bare. 

"The town of Ewen, situated upon the middle branch of the 
Ontonagon Eiver, is in the midst of this burned-over district, 
and the land on all sides of the town slopes from the south to the 
north and from the east and west down to the middle branch 
of the Ontonagon Eiver. The surface of this country is generally 
fair and rolling with almost no bad spots in it. The soil is a 
good strong clay and clay loam. There is left upon this land but 
little green timber, and that is in the low spots and along the 
streams and water courses where a little cedar and hardwood can 
be found— enough to afford material for fencing and ample pro- 
tection to stock. 

"As soon as the fire stripped the country of its timber, it be- 
came covered anew with second growth — hardwood, poplar, birch, 
etc. — and between the stumps and logs there sprang up a strong- 
growth of natural grasses, mixed here and there with patches of 
timothy along the old logging roads and clover and timothy near 
the camps, the seed being dropped, I presume, from horses and 
from hay brought into the lumber camps. 

"Col. L. D. Burch, of the American Sheep Breeder, made a 
recent examination of this territory and wrote me a long letter in 
which he expresses himself extremelv delighted with the whole 



110 ANGORA GOAT RAIDING. 

situation and says that there is in this vicinity going to waste 
annually natural pasturage enough to feed several thousand head 
of cattle and a million sheep and goats. 

"Another stretch of territory admirably adapted to goat rais- 
ing extends west from Lake Gogebic and runs through what was 
originally a heavy hardwood and hemlock country. The land is 
a first-class clay loam and in many instances has been cleared 
either by fire or the lumberman's axe. Clearings, when they have 
not been immediately subjugated, become covered with a strong 
growth of young shoots, and, as the land is well watered and roll- 
ing enough to afford splendid drainage, it has always seemed to me 
an ideal country for the growth of sheep and goats. 

"'After crossing the Montreal Kiver, the boundary between 
Michigan and Wisconsin, one strikes another such tract of land as 
there is to be found in the Ontonagon valley with a somewhat 
similar soil. This country runs as far west as the village of Mar- 
engo, Wis., and possibly farther, and is contiguous to the D. S. S. 
& A. By., being evenly distributed on either side of the track. 

"I would also call attention to the country in Houghton and 
Baraga counties directly back of Baraga on Keweenaw Bay. In 
this vicinity a large number of German and Swedish farmers have 
settled and have made their mark, as they always do. Here one 
finds a nice tract of country, the slope being towards Keweenaw 
Bay on the east. The soil is clay and clay loam, and the growth 
of grasses and all roots crops is remarkably rapid. 

"At Sidnaw, Mich., Mr. W. S. Prickett has on Avhat he calls 
his 'Boycroft Farm' a herd of Angora goats and also about 1,000 
registered Shropshire sheep. At Low Moor in Marquette County 
Mr. E. C. Anthony, of Negaunee, Mich., has had good success in 
raising both sheep and goats. 

"The territory just south of the village of Newberry, in Luce 
County, is another desirable location for the pasturage of goats. 
This country was stripped of its timber by the Newberry Furnace 
Company while in operation at Newberry, the timber being then 
used for fuel and kiln wood. The land around Newberry is a 
sandy loam with a slope from the south to the north and drainage 
into the Tahquamenon Biver. There are some 5,000 or 6,000 
acres of this land almost entirely destitute of timber. 

"In the Ontonagon valley there are perhaps 35,000 acres of 
land suitable for the pasturage of goats; between the head of 
Lake Gogebic and Marengo, Wis., possibly twice that amount. 

"This land can be bought at varying prices — that at Newberry 
for about $2.50 per acre; that at Ewen for from $3.50 to $6, and 



112 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

that between Marengo, Wis., and Lake Gogebic for about the same 
figures." 

So far as the lumbered-over condition is concerned, northern 
Wisconsin is much the same as northern Michigan. A bulletin 
(No. 88) recently issued by the Wisconsin Agricultural Experi- 
ment Station deals with the agricultural features of this section, 
and the statements given herewith are from it. Goats are to be 
considered, in most parts of our country, as the forerunners of 
sheep. They destroy the brush and weeds, fertilize the soil, and 
the grass which follows and which they are not likely to disturb 
becomes the best of pasturage for sheep or cattle. "One great ad- 
vantage which this region possesses that has been forcibly shown, 
especially in recent years, is that a clover crop is rarely subject 
to failure. In the southern counties the snowfall is often so 
light that clover winter-kills, and it is therefore difficult at times 
to secure luxuriant pasturage and maintain the fertility of the 
soil. In the central and northern counties this has never yet 
happened, and the result is that these highly nitrogenous forage 
crops can be raised in great abundance. This region is preemi- 
nently a grass region, wild grasses growing in the greatest pro- 
fusion, while the domesticated grasses, like timothy, red top, and 
Kentucky blue grass, are introduced with the greatest ease. This 
can be seen even in the primeval forests where timothy and clover 
spring up in the *'tote roads' wherever the sunlight is let in through 
the cutting of the timber. Not infrequently timothy reaches a 
development of five feet in height." 

The great adaptability of the soil of this section for clovei : 
and grasses makes pasturage perfect. Many men of means have 
recently started large stock farms in this hardwood belt, including 
some of the most prominent breeders in the country. Land is not 
very high in price. Whoever may desire further information 
should address an inquiry to the Land Commissioner of the Wis- 
consin Central Eailway, Milwaukee, Wis. 

Central and northern Minnesota are offering great opportu- 
nities for goat farms. Angoras are now being employed there by 
many farmers for clearing brush land, and the demand for them 
is rapidly increasing. The purpose is to have sheep follow the 
goats. 

The forest trees alone, says Prof. Thomas Shaw, would tell 
to an experienced eye the tale of the character of the land. Much 
of the forest is hardwood, comprising such varieties as maple, 
birch, hemlock, and in the lower lands elm and basswood. Large 
areas at one time grew straggling pines of good size, with more or 
less frequency, among the hardwood trees. Other forests are of 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 113 

the grove order. They are composed of small trees, all or nearly 
all of the hardwood varieties, and they grow so closely that they 
crowd one another for existence ; and yet again are stretches where 
pines only grew. But these, compared with the whole area, are 
not large, except in Oneida County in the neighborhood of Rhine- 
lander and northward from that place. But in some other areas 
of Wisconsin the pine stretches are extensive. 

The kind of pasturage that is produced after the timber and 
brush are removed is shown in the following from Professor 
Shaw : "No sooner has the forest been cut away and fire has done 
its work in removing the encumbering timber and brush than the 
blue grass and white clover spring up like magic and take pos- 
session of the land. Where they come from so quickly, nobody 
seems to know, but they come, and they come to remain forever. 
If the bird and the winds could speak, they would probably tell 
us something about whence they come. Their rapid growth sug- 
gests the thought of spontaneous generation, which is, of course, 
impossible. But their coming so quickly and growing so luxuri- 
antly calls up the thought of the high adaptation of the country 
to those grasses. Even in trails in the forest they grow and flour- 
ish, where they must needs struggle for the light. This abundant 
growth not only furnishes fine pastures, permanent in charactci 
if desired, but their presence is an assurance that here is a land 
with high adaptation to a great variety of crops. In such a soil 
mixed pastures also permanent in character, and containing many 
varieties, can undoubtedly be grown, but the need for these has not 
yet been felt by the settlers." 

The "Soo" Line Railway is taking a special interest in the 
development of the lands described above, and any one who may be 
interested should write to the Land and Industrial Agent of that 
line, at Minneapolis, Minn. The increasing interest in the live 
stock industry of the country and the proximity of these lands to 
the great Chicago markets make them very desirable to many 
seekers for new homes. 

One of the things which has long been a menace to New Eng- 
land prosperity is ber great number of abandoned farms. The 
soil "ran out" and the weeds and briers "came in," while the 
owners sought new homes, perhaps in the West. The situation 
appeared hopeless until Angoras were introduced and began to 
demonstrate their usefulness in rehabilitating these farms, by 
exterminating the brush and calling back the grass. There are not 
yet many goats in New England, but good reports are made of 
the work of those which are there. Land is cheaper nowhere in 
our country than in this section. The Angora industry can not 



114 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

fail to make good progress here, for they have here the feed and 
the markets. 

In Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana there is an abun- 
dance of available land. The Angoras have been tried in all these 
States and proved to be a successful venture. Seekers after loca- 
tions should correspond with the secretaries of the several boards 
of agriculture. In Montana the grazing question is receiving at- 
tention, and it is entirely probable that other Western States will 
be considering the relative value of grazing land for goats; for it 
must be remembered that, while goats prefer brushwood and weeds 
to grass, they will eat grass and thrive on it if confined to it. 
Besides, there are good mohair growers who believe that the quality 
of the fiber is improved if the goats have a diet largely composed 
of grass. 

The following letter from C. H. Hales, of Eugene, Oreg., con- 
tains matter of interest to any one who may think of engaging 
in the Angora industry in Oregon. Practically . the same condi- 
tions obtain throughout a large section of that country : "I have 
my goats in the Cascade Mountains in what is known as timber 
land, and I am satisfied that, by clearing up the underbrush with 
goats, it will not only make fine range for cattle, but will be the 
means of stopping our forest fires. The timber land here is not 
poor soil, but very rich. I have raised clover four and five feet 
high and timothy over six feet high on this mountain land. There 
are thousands of acres of this land now being taken as timber 
land under the Timber and Stone Land Act. It is the richest 
land we have. 

"My goats are fat, and I am of the opinion that it is not good 
policy to keep them on browse alone. I have not had a sick goat 
during the year, while a friend of mine who insisted on keeping 
his on brush lost several head with scours." 

The Ozark region, which embraces practically one-fourth of 
the south and southeastern portions of Missouri, and extends over 
a considerable portion of northern Arkansas, is peculiarly adapted 
to Angora goat raising. The soil of the major part, especially in 
Missouri, is what is known as limestone land with a clay sub- 
soil. The surface is high and rolling, in many places broken, 
almost mountainous in character. The altitude is from 1,200 to 
2,000 feet. There is ample rainfall, something over 40 inches in 
a year, which is ample for the production of all horticultural and 
agricultural products which are raised farther north. The land is 
all covered with timber; the valuable portion has been cut off in 
most places, leaving an undergrowth which ranges from 4 to 30 
feet high. Black, red, white, and bur oak predominate. In some 



116 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

sections there are cedar and pine, also some hickory, walnut, and 
elm; in fact, all hardwood species are said to appear in these for- 
ests. Nearly every quarter section has permanent living water 
upon it. Tame grasses of all kinds do well here after the timber 
has been cleared away. 

In addition to the favorable conditions for the goat, it is well 
to have consideration for his master. This is a section whose 
apples, peaches, plums, pears, and cherries, as well as small fruits 
of all kinds, grow abundantly. The country is favorably located 
as to markets and railroad facilities, yet the land is very cheap, 
ranging from $1 to $5 per acre for unimproved land and from 
$8 to $15 for that which is improved. 

A. B. Hulit, Springfield, Mo., general manager of the Frisco 
Live Stock Company, is much interested in the development of 
this Ozark region, and will answer any inquiries concerning it. 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE CARE OF ANGORA GOATS. 
Tlie Question of their Hardiness. 

There has been a great amount of careless writing about An- 
gora goats which has given the widespread impression that they 
are very hardy. This is, indeed, true to some extent. The crosses 
upon common goats are very likely to be hardy, and it may be 
stated, as a general rule, that the higher the cross becomes the 
less hardy is the animal. Schreiner, who probably knows more 
about what the original purebred Angora goat was than any other 
authority, says : "I think it is certain that the original was a 
small, very refined, delicate animal." The fact that the besr 
mohair goats in the United States at this time are nearly all of 
this description lends much weight to his opinion. Our breeders 
may sometimes produce a large, hardy animal which will produce 
the best of mohair, but such an ideal is not yet in sight. 

In many instances during the recent rapid spread of this in- 
dustry, the careless or shiftless man has presumed upon the re- 
puted hardiness of the Angoras and has subjected them to all 
manner of discomfort and deprivation, apparently with the ex- 
pectation that final results will be fully as satisfactory as if ra- 
tional attention had been given them. While he would not think 
of putting a horse, or cow, or hog upon its own resources in a 
pasture in winter where the snow is a foot or more in depth, he 
has done so with his goats and then wondered why they did not, 
thrive, for had he not been told that "they will live on nothing" ? 
Now, it is true that many flocks pass through a winter and thrive 
well where the snow is deep and the temperature very low, but they 
get something to eat every day, and plenty of it. Let the keeper 
of Angoras use common sense in handling them and he will not 
be disappointed. 

Given adequate shelter and feed such as they relish, Angora 
goats will show that they have the ability to withstand both ex- 
treme cold and extreme heat. They thrive in Alaska and also in 
Guadalupe Island. The same ability to withstand extreme tem- 
peratures is exhibited by horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs, which 
argues more for care than against climate. (See remarks on cli- 
mate in the chapter on ''Localities adapted to goat raising.") 



118 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

Angora goats can subsist upon vegetation which is utterly use- 
less for any other purpose, but this is only evidence of their eco- 
nomical keeping; it does not authorize one to conclude that they 
never need any other kind of feed. The purpose of speaking of 
the hardiness of the Angora goat here is to impress the fact that, 
if satisfactory results are to be obtained — indeed, if disaster is to 
be avoided — the animals must receive the same rational treatment 
that is received by other live stock when best results are sought. 
In the sense that domestic animals are hardy, the Angora goat 
is very hardy, but this characteristic is of service only so far as it 
enables him to respond the more quickly and satisfactorily to ra- 
tional handling. 

Shelter and Pens. 

A shelter is necessary during wet spells, and more especially 
if the rain is cold or in case of sleet storms. Dry cold alone has 
little or no injurious effect after the kids are three or four weeks 
old, and they will even frolic in the snow when the mercury is at 
zero, and sleep with apparent comfort in an open shed. With 
their dense covering there is no reason why this should not be 
true ; but this same dense covering when soaked with cold water 
or driven full of sleet, is a deadly menace. Goats will not get 
wet if they have an opportunity to avoid it. They appreciate a 
shelter and will always seek it at night, and during the day in the 
event of storms. They are said to be excellent barometers, being 
able to foretell stormy weather, and always contrive to place them- 
selves under shelter before the advance of a storm, if possible. 
Mr. Diehl says they will run miles to avoid an undesirable rain. 

Goats should not be left on the range or in pasture over night. 
The latter is practiced to a considerable extent, but experience 
has shown that they are safer in closer confinement during the 
nighttime. 

The pens in which the goats are kept at night should, above 
all things, be in such a location that they can be kept dry by 
drainage. Other live stock should be excluded, as they would 
only help to trample the ground into mud. They should have a dry 
place to stand and sleep, for they are apt to contract rheumatism 
in the knees. There would be little use in raising Angoras for 
their fleeces if they arc compelled to wade through mud and filth 
or be confined under these conditions. The fleece would soon be- 
come so soiled and matted as to be a ''burden unto death." 

The sheds provided for their shelter must be of a size to give 
an abundance of room. The goats should not, under any circum- 
stances, be huddled together. If they are thus crowded in cold 



120 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

weather they will pile up, with the result that some of the younger 
ones will die from suffocation. One writer states that he has 
known as high as 30 being killed in this manner in one night. 
Oscar Tom, of Angora, Oreg., describes a shelter that proves sat- 
isfactory, in the following language: "The sheds should have 
eave troughs, and be boarded down to within 3 or 4 feet of the 
ground. There should be a ditch around the shed to prevent any 
water from running into it, and it should be open all around, so 
that the goats would not have to wait for others ahead of them to 
go in; a few cross ones could not block the way and keep other 
goats in or out, and the rain would not bl®w in, but the goats 
would have plenty of fresh air. ' There should be a good fence 
around the shed at a distance of at least fifty yards, to keep cattle 
and horses from trampling up the ground and working it into 
mud. Have the fence high enough for the goats to go under, but 
never allow hogs to run into the goat shed, for goats are easily 
frightened after dark." 

The ditch referred to will fill up very rapidly with dirt and 
manure, and should receive constant attention. If it is not kept 
perfectly clear it may as well not have been made. 

In some parts of the country the strong winds will blow rain 
under a shed such as Mr. Tom describes. In such cases, the side 
from which these storms usually come might be boarded to the 
ground. A better plan, in the opinion of some, is to have a few 
solid movable panels of fence to place around the openings of the 
shed on such occasions. This plan is convenient, too, as the panels 
may be taken away in fair weather, thus permitting a free circu- 
lation of air from all sides. 

Shelter from the sun's rays should be provided for summer 
time. Although goats are able to withstand intense heat, they do 
not thrive Well when subjected to it. For this purpose sheds more 
open than that described above are preferred, for the reason that 
the air will have freer circulation. Better yet than a shed against 
the suns' rays are large trees. In this case there is no obstruction 
whatever to the air. 

Herding and Fencing. 

Goats require a great amount of exercise, much more than 
sheep. The one is by nature a browser and the other a grazer, 
and the browsing habit naturally requires more activity on the 
part of the goats. They are sensitive to restraint and do better 
if not herded, but, of course, this is often a necessity, and there- 
fore should be done under as favorable circumstances as possible. 
So far as possible they should not be allowed to feel their restraint. 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 121 

If constant attendance is necessary, the herder should be of quiet 
disposition. The next best thing to the freedom of a range is a 
large pasture, where the goats may have oversight, but not con- 
stant attendance. Such pastures are considered the cheapest 
method of keeping these goats. They can easily be trained to come 
home by feeding a little and salting regularly. 

The fencing for pastures is a matter which early concerns one 
who contemplates going into the business, for it is the current 
belief that goats will climb onto any shed of ordinary height or 
jump any fence that will stop other animals. While they will 
climb anything that is built in such a manner that it may be 
climbed easily, they will not jump any ordinary fence. They will, 
however, creep through if there is an opening large enough. The 
old-fashioned "worm" fence, especially if it leans outward, will 
not stop goats. The angles in such a fence are an incentive and 
a delight to them. Indeed, there are many hogs that will go over 
a fence of this kind. 

The writer knows 01 an instance where an effort was made to 
keep goats inside a stone Avail ; but the alert animals found a 
stump near the wall at one point and from that jumped upon the 
wall, then walked nearly half a mile on the top of this, and then 
found a stone outside which assisted them down. He has also seen 
goats lie flat on their sides, as pigs are prone to do, and crawl 
under a woven-wire fence. These instances are related here as 
warnings that, while goats will neither jump nor tear down a 
fence, they require a well-made one. They accept every opportu- 
nity offered to climb or crawl. 

In constructing a goat fence there are other matters to be taken 
into account than simply that the goats should be kept in; the 
animals themselves, especially the young ones, must be protected 
from predatory animals, such as clogs and wolves. Too much de- 
pendence must not be placed upon the goat to defend itself, espe- 
cially in the dark. It often occurs that dogs and wolves do their 
worst work at night, when the goats are without an attendant, and 
they frequently go upon their forays in groups of two or more. 
The greatest cunning and generalship is exhibited by the "sheep- 
killing" clog. In the Southwest it is much more important to 
fence to keep varmints out than it is to fence to keep the goats in. 
So the double object must be kept in view in building a goat 
fence. Such a fence must be dog-proof, hog-proof, and wolf- 
proof. A hog at liberty which has had the taste of chicken or 
lamb or kid is a greater nuisance than any wolf or dog, and should 
be dispatched as being an enemy to other young live stock as well 
as kids, 



122 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

Any material which is usually employed in the construction of 
fences is suitable for goat fences. The manner of construction 
is the important feature. If the purpose is to clear land of brush- 
wood in order to convert it into pasture land, the fence should be 
made with permanency in view. A fence of ten-barbed hog wires, 
with posts set twenty feet apart, and having three stays between, 
is a very good one. The lowest wire is only 1 inch from the 
ground; the next four wires 34; inches apart, and one-half inch 
added to every space above the first below it. It is necessary that 
all wires should be kept taut. In the Southwest these barbs in- 
flict wounds upon Avolves and dogs which try to get through them 
and the screw worm infests the wound and death ensues. Goats 
are wise enough 1o let the wires alone. 

A good fence may be made of woven wire three feet high, 
drawn on the inside of posts, and a closely barbed strand of wire 
3 or -f inches above fastened to the outside of the posts to prevent 
animals from jumping in. In hilly or rolling localities some 
difficulty is met in fitting the fence to the contour of the ground. 
Sometimes there must be filling under such a fence where it 
crosses over a depression. This must not be overlooked, for the 
goat will astonish you, if you do not attend to these places, by 
lying flat on its side if necessary to crawl through. C. P. Bailey 
& Sons Co., say: "Nearly every one has a mistaken idea about 
fencing pasture to hold goats. One man says, 'Make your fence 
hog-tight, horse-high, and bull-strong.' Probably this man had a 
few pet goats that had become experts at getting out of pastures. 
A good fence three feet high is amply sufficient to hold goats. 
Three boards, with two barb wires, or a 24-inch Page woven wire 
fence, with three barb wires above, will hold goats without lia- 
bility of escaping. Several of the corrals at our Nevada ranch 
are made of 36-inch I)e Kalb wire fencing, with one barb wire at 
the top. These corrals keep goats in and coyotes out. The barb 
wire on top prevents cattle or horses from breaking clown the 
fences/' 

A straight rail fence, if the rails are laid close together, as 
well as an ordinary board fence, will turn* goats; but a zigzag, or 
worm, fence is no sort of barrier to them. A stone fence has to 
be well built to prevent their climbing it. 

A goat would rather sleep on top of a barn than anywhere 
else below, and if it is possible for him to get on a roof he will do 
it. It is not necessary to state that their presence there is ruinous 
to the building. 



124 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

The Question of Feeding. 

The principal reason why goats will prove to be more profit- 
able in some places than sheep as because they are practically inex- 
pensive so far as feeding' is concerned. This phase of the subject 
is quite fully discussed in the chapter on "Browsing and pas- 
turage." The goats eat the leaves in summer and the soft twigs 
in Avinter, and if there is an abundance of either they will not 
need much of anything else to sustain life. It is not possible in 
all localities, however, for goats to get twigs in winter, and there- 
fore some other provision is necessary. 

Corn fodder is a very good feed and is relished if there is no 
browse to tempt the goats away. They are also fond of clean 
straw. There is not sufficient nourishment in these fodders, and 
some grain should be fed to keep the animals in good condition. 
Probably the best feed is oats, and if it is sheaf oats it is better 
still. In Texas cotton seed is often fed by scattering it upon the 
hard snow, where goats will have to exercise somewhat to pick it 
up; besides, the time consumed in picking it up insures better 
mastication. 

Eeports from some goat men who have run their goats upon 
cowpea stubble in the autumn are of the most satisfactory nature. 
That which goats pick up would otherwise be good as fertilizer 
only, and it puts them in prime condition, in a very short time, for 
breeding and for winter. Cowpea hay, clover hay, and alfalfa hay 
are all most excellent coarse feeds, and with them no grain is 
necessary to carry goats through the winter in fair condition. 

In feeding grain care must be taken not to make the supply 
too liberal, unless the object is to be fattened for slaughter. Goats 
easily become lazy on a plentiful supply of grain and will decline 
to go out to feed upon the brush. This is an important ponit, as 
their hardiness, to a large extent, is attributed to their feeding 
upon browse and to the resulting exercise. The quantity of food 
necessary to keep goats in good condition varies according to the 
climate, but one-fourth pound of corn or its equivalent in other 
grain and 1-| pounds of hay at a ration is about a fair average. 
With abundant winter pasture this ration once a day (in the 
evening) is sufficient; if the pasture is scant, they ought to have 
it both morning and evening, and on wet cold days, when they 
are kept in the sheds all day, feed them three times or make their 
rations correspondingly larger. In feeding either hay or grain, 
absolute cleanliness must rule, as goats will not eat soiled food. 
There is no animal more particular about his food than the goat. 
He has no inclination for mud or filth in which to stand or walk, 
much less having to pick his food out of it, Bryan Hook, author 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 125 

of "Milch Goats and Their Management," says: "The goat is of 
all animals the most fastidious in the matter of the cleanliness of 
its food, refusing, even though ever so hungry, to eat food that has 
been soiled or trodden under foot. For this reason a rack should 
be provided for the hay, and only as much given at each meal 
as the animal will consume, for that which has been trampled 
under foot will ever be rejected, even though carefully collected 
and replaced in the rack." 

When the production of mohair is reduced to a fine art, the 
question of feed in addition to browse will receive the most careful 
attention because of its influence upon the fiber. With this thought 
in mind, the reader is advised to see what Dr. McMurtrie says, as 
quoted in the chapter on "Mohair and mohair manufactures." 

Wet Grass Considered Injurious. 

The Angora goat breeders of Asia Minor attribute the health- 
fulness of their animals, as well as the excellent quality of mo- 
hair produced, to the very dry climate. They believe that moisture, 
even in the form of dew and sleet, is injurious and often fatal to 
the goats, and are very careful not to allow their flocks to go to 
pasture until the grass and other herbage is dry. While this view 
may be exaggerated, many of our breeders follow the Turkish 
practice with excellent results. 

The Question of Watering. 

Goats do not drink much water, but what they do drink must 
be clean. They have an inherent abhorrence of filthy water and 
filthy food. A running stream is a valuable thing in a pasture. 
If that is not present, water from a spring or well should be af- 
forded. 

The Question of Salting. 

Goats require more salt than sheep, owing to the more as- 
tringent character of their feed. If loose salt is used, the general 
custom is to give it once a week on regular days. If rock salt is 
used, it should be placed where the animal can get to it at any 
time. Eock salt is preferable, as it can be placed in boxes or 
troughs raised from the ground, and thus be kept out of the dirt 
and be of easy access to the goats at any time; and, too, there is 
no waste and do danger that the animal will eat too much of it. 

The Question of Marking. 

The question of marking is always proper. Several devices 
are in use, but the metal tag in the ear is probably best known. 



126 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

A practice which appears to give satisfaction is to tattoo the num- 
bers into the ear, using indelible ink, It is found that the metal 
is sometimes pulled out by the brush. 

Kidding' and the Kids. 

The kidding time is the most important in the life of the goat. 
For two or three days after the kids are dropped they are exceed- 
ingly delicate, and there will be no future success unless good care 
is given at this time. They can not "rough it" at this period, but 
will die from very little exposure or neglect. They are more deli- 
cate for a few Aveeks than lambs. When the kids are large enough 
to follow the Hock ihey have constitutions stronger than lambs of 
like age and are able to care for themselves very well. 

The proper time for kids to arrive is in the spring, about the 
time when leaves start on the trees and bushes. At that time 
there is milk-producing food for the doe, and the weather is also 
warm enough to favor the kids. The exact time may be governed, 
of course, by the service of the bucks and will be earlier in lo- 
calities where the seasons are earlier. If the kids come in cold 
weather, there will be greater difficulty in saving them. Warm 
stabling must also be provided, and the does will require extra 
feeding in order that they may supply milk for the kids. 

A few days before a kid is due the doe should be separated 
from the flock. Some breeders would put her in a pen alone, 
while others would put as many as 20 in one pen. If the facilities 
are at hand, a small pen for each doe is better, for the reason that 
the doe will sooner "own" the kid and there will be less clanger 
of injury than if among a number. A doe knows her kid by the 
sense of smell, especially when it is young. This characteristic 
is so strong that some breeders assert that if two kids of different 
mothers are rubbed together, the does will often refuse to own 
them. Whoever cares for the doe at kidding time will find it an 
important part of his work to see that the does own their kids. 
This difficulty in any case will disappear in a few days, and it will 
then only be necessary to arrange for the does to get to the kids 
whenever they desire. 

If kids are dropped on the range or in the pasture, they must 
be carried home and special care given to see that the does are 
made to own them, for many times they will refuse. A lamb will 
follow its mother very soon after it is dropped, but a doe will hide 
her kid as best she can in the bushes or behind a stone or log 
and leave it there while she goes away to feed; and on her return 
she expects to find it where she left it. 

The Mexican method of handling the kid is largely practiced 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 



127 



in Texas and New Mexico and consists of '"staking," or "toggling," 
the kid. When the kid is dropped, take it to a protected place 
(shed or barn), seeing to it that the doe follows, and "stake it 
out," or "toggle" it, with a string about 14 inches long. Tie this 
string to one leg, changing occasionally to the other legs to avoid 
lameness. This string should have a swivel in it to prevent twist- 
ing, and the kids should be carefully watched so long as they are 
so tied, which will be from seven to ten days. 

The does should remain with the kids until they leave them 
of their own accord to go out for feed. The kids may then be 
alloAved to run loose in a pen together until they are large enough 
to go out with the flock, which is when they are from four to six 
Aveeks old, or when they are able to jump a board from 12 to 20 
inches high placed across the gate. The height of this board 
this method in Nevada for more than twenty-five years. If the 
restrains the kids that are too small to follow the flock and at the 
same time enables the does to go and come as they please. W. G-. 




THE HUGHES SEPARATING BRIDGE. 



Hughes & Co., of Hastings, Tex., have a device for separating the 
does from the kids which is better than the board. It is a bridge, 
either end of which drops to the desired height. This device 
enables the does to go out and in without injuring the udder, 
which is apt to occur where they have to jump a board. 

The following is from Dr. W. C. Bailey, one of the best-known 
breeders in the world : "There are in use two methods of handling 
kids at kidding time; namely, the corral method and the staking 
method. Each of these has points which render it most valuable 
under certain conditions and in certain localities. 

THE CORRAL METHOD. 

"This method may be used with any number of goats. With 
various modifications and adaptations which best suit the size of 
the flock, the climatic conditions, the facilities for feeding, etc., 
it may be used by the beginner with success. We have practiced 



128 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

herd is a large one, say 1,000 head, three men are required to 
handle the goats at kidding time. The service of the bucks is 
so managed that the kids will be dropped gradually through several 
weeks. At the height of the season we -expect from 75 to 100 kids 
a day. The season lasts about thirty or forty days. Fortunately, 
most of the kids are dropped in the daytime. 

"We have four or live small corrals, fenced with 36-inch woven 
wire and large enough to hold 50 does and their kids. The doe 
should be allowed plenty of room, because if too close to her neigh- 
bor she may adopt the other doe's kid. Besides, these small corrals, 
two large ones are needed, each large enough to hold 1,000 does. 
Along the fence of one of these corrals are a dozen small pens 
just large enough to hold a doe and kid. At the gate of this 
corral a jump board is placed. This jump board is intended to 
keep back those kids which are not large and strong enough to 
jump over it. A 2-inch board about 18 inches high will answer 
the purpose. Another device sometimes used is a platform open 
at the end, so that the kids may run under it and thus avoid being 
trampled upon when the goats are going out over the paltform. 

"The small corrals may be made of panel fence and located in 
a meadow where some feed is afforded. The does should always 
have some kind of feed at kidding time. 

"In the morning the flock is carefully examined, and all does 
which show signs of kidding during the clay should be separated 
and placed in one of the small corrals. The large flock is now 
turned out, and one of the men is sent with them with instruc- 
tions to take the herd at once as far as he intends to go for feed 
that day, then to let them feed over a limited area and gradu- 
ally work their way home. A few does will drop their kids on the 
range, and the herder should carefully note the number and their 
location. He should see that the herd does not feed around one 
of these does, as she is apt to leave her kid and join the band, 
thus necessitating much extra work in finding the kid and in 
giving it to its mother. Early in the afternoon the band is placed 
in one of the large corrals. Now the herder and another man go 
out with a wagon or on foot and carry the kids home, gently dri- 
ving the mothers. The kids should not be handled or rubbed 
against one another more than is necessary, as the doe knows her 
kid by the scent. These does and kids are placed in the small 
corral which contains the does held back in the morning with 
the expectation that they would kid during the day. We now have 
one day's kidding in one of the small corrals. The does and the 
kids should be watched to see that they are properly arranged. 
Do not bother them more than is absolutely necessary. Do not be 



130 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

in a hurry to make a doe own a kid. Do not drive the goats around 
one of the small pens. 

"The does should remain with their kids in the corral for a day 
or two at least, or until the kids are properly mothered. Any does 
which have not kidded should be taken out. The next morning 
any kids which may have been born during the night are put in 
another small corral with their mothers, as well as the does which 
are expected to kid during the day. The procedure of the previous 
day is repeated. In about three days, if one has limited quarters, 
the first day's mothers and kids may be put in the second large 
corral ; that is, the one with the jump board at the gate. Now 
this 'wet' band is placed in charge of one of the men and sent 
out to feed. The gate is opened, the mothers passing out over the 
jump board, and the kids remain in the corral. The herder must 
not range his goats near the does that are kidding upon the range, 
and he should be cautioned to come in later than the 'dry' band, 
so as to avoid any possibility of their mixing. When his band ar- 
rives at the corral the gate is opened, and each mother hunts for 
her kid. Some of the kids may not find their mothers, and if 
after a day or two there are a few unnourished kids and some 
does with overdistencled udders they should be placed together in 
the small pens along the side of the corral. The doe will own the 
kid in a day or two, whether she is its mother or not. The kids 
should not be allowed to become too weak before this is done. If 
one does not have enough small pens, a doe may be held while 
two or three kids suckle her, and thus tide them over until some 
of the small pens are vacant. 

"The next day the second day's kidding is added to the wet 
band. The wet band thus gradually grows, while the dry band 
decreases. During the day two men will be employed at herding 
the dry and wet bands, respectively, and the third man will be kept 
busy inspecting the kids, feeding the does in confinement, etc. 
If the weather is stormy some of the kids will have to be sheltered. 
The advisability of having the kids dropped gradually through 
a period of thirty or forty days will readily be seen. If help is 
inexperienced they may be gradually trained, or if the weather is 
stormy there will be time to get all things arranged properly. 

'The kids should not be allowed to go with their mothers until 
they are about six or eight weeks old. If they go before this, they 
will probably become tired very soon and go to sleep. When they 
awake the band will have gone, and they are liable to be lost. 
During the day, while the mothers are feeding, the kids would eat 
a little grass if they could be herded near the corral. 

"As stated before, there may be many modifications of this 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 131 

method which will suggest themselves, but the above is a general 
outline of a method commonly in use. 

THE STAKING METHOD. 

"This method is largely employed, even with large flocks, in 
New Mexico, but is possibly best suited to small flocks. It is 
without doubt the best method for certain surroundings. About, 
the same amount of help will be required as with the corral method. 
There should be a good supply of stakes similar to tent stakes. 
There should also be a supply of swivel blocks which are about 
4 inches long and having a hole bored near each end. A piece 
of rope about 6 inches long is fastened to the stake, and the other 
end is passed through one of the holes in the swivel block and a 
knot tied in the end. Another piece of rope of equal length is 
likewise knotted and passed through the other hole of the swivel 
block, the loose end being tied to the kid's leg. Any swivel will 
take the place of this primitive method. The herder or owner 
can busy himself during the winter months by making stakes and 
swivels and by cutting and attaching the ropes. 

"When a kid is born it is taken to a convenient place to stake 
and the mother is gently coaxed to follow. The stake is securely 
driven into the ground, and the kid fastened to it by the hind 
leg. The mother is left with the kid, in order that she may know 
where to find it upon returning from feeding. The kid should be 
staked where he can get plenty of sunshine, shade, and shelter. 
A small bush, a post, or a box will answer the purpose admirably. 
If there are twins, they must be so staked that they can suckle 
at the same time. The rope should be changed from one hind leg 
to the other occasionally, to prevent unequal development. Some- 
times a vigorous kid gets thoroughly tangled and requires help. 
The kid may thus be staked until he is old enough to go with the 
flock, which is after six or eight weeks, or he may be put in a 
corral a few clays, as is clone in the corral method. 

"There are many successful breeders who use this method en- 
tirely. One may expect to get good results if he follows either 
the corral" or staking method carefully." 

There is very small loss among kids cared for as set forth above. 
Many of the breeders on a large scale report the percentage of 
increase as 100. This does not mean that every kid lives, but that 
so few die that the loss is offset by the number of twins that are 
dropped. The most practicable fencing to be used at kidding 
time is made of portable panels. By the use of these panels a pen 
may be made large or small and be moved from one place to an- 
other without difficultv and with verv little work. 



132 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

Weaning. — Kids should not be weaned until they are 4-J months 
old unless they are very strong; but they should not remain with 
their mothers after they are 5 months old. This especially applies 
to the buck kids, as they will often breed at 6 months of age or 
even younger. 

Castration. — The buck kids not reserved for breeding purposes 
should be castrated when about 2 weeks old. The earlier it is 
done, the better will be the meat and the mohair. It is pointed out 
in previous pages that the mohair from wethers ranks with that 
from the does, and the flesh is superior to that of the does and 
inferior only in small degree to that of the kids. A cool day 
should always be selected for the operation of castration and careful 
attention given for a few days. 

Notes on Kidding from Correspondents. 

As kidding is the most critical period in the handling of goats, 
it is very important that the breeder, especially if he is a beginner, 
should be well informed on this matter. It therefore seems de- 
sirable to quote herewith the various views of men who are suc- 
cessful and well-known breeders. 

From F. 0. Landrum, Laguna, Tex. : "There are several meth- 
ods of handling goats during kidding. The one employed here is 
the Mexican plan. When the kid is dropped take it by the hind 
legs, so that the doe will follow, to where you want to stake him. 
Stake with rope about 12 inches long, with wooden swivel in cen- 
ter. Leave them staked until after they are marked and cas- 
trated and well owned by the mother. Sometimes kids are herded 
with their mothers and sometimes by themselves until they learn 
to be herded. If not handled properly and the kids are allowed to 
mix together, the doe loses the scent of her kid, and young does 
will often disown them." 

From W. G. Hughes & Co., Hastings, Tex.: "We keep the 
nannie and kid to themselves so far as possible for a day or so, 
and do not allow more than 20 nannies and kids in the same pen 
until the kids are over a week old, nor more than 50 nannies and 
kids in the same pen until 2 weeks old. Kids are kept in the pen 
day and night until a month old, and are then allowed to run 
outside the pen during the day to eat a little; the feed may be 
furnished them in the form of cut branches if there are no bushes 
near the pen. They should also have access to water after 4 weeks 
old. When 6 weeks old they can go out with the flock for a few 
hours in the afternoon, the flock being brought in at midday for 
this purpose. After 8 weeks they can go regularly all day with the 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 133 

get through kidding time is to put all the does that are soon to 
bring kids in a separate small pasture where they can be looked 
up easily. In case of bad weather they should be brought into 
their shed every evening before sundown; but if the weather is 
dry and not too cold they can be left out, and all the does will likely 
own their kids. Of course, the kids will not follow their mothers 
as lambs do, but will lie down in a thicket or under a bush, a 
weed, a log, or a rock, and remain there till the mother comes 
back to it, even if it should have to wait till it starved to death ; 
but after a kid is a few days old it is able to follow its mother, 
although it is best to keep the kids at home. Kids need not suck 
oftener than twice a day." 

From Josephus R. Barnette, Globe, Ariz. : "I cut out the heavy 
ewes from the rest of the herd, and hold them in a close herd, and 
catch the kids and bring them with their mothers to the corral, 
where each kid is staked separately with a toggle, or swivel, being 
careful to see that the mother knows where the kid is. After 
this I let the new mothers come and go at will, only noticing them 
enough to see that they come to their kids regularly. The kids 
should be watched closely in order that they may not get tangled 
up and hurt. When they are about 2 weeks old they are turned 
loose in a corral and a board is put at the gate over which the 
mothers jump in going to and from their kids. When the kids 
are 3 months old they may be allowed to go with the herd." 

From Col. Wm. L. Black, Fort McKavett, Tex. : "This is the 
most critical period in the handling of goats. The kids are gener- 
ally collected daily, as soon as dropped and able to stand and 
suckle the mothers, and are confined in a corral for several weeks, 
much of the time tied to a stake driven into the ground. It is no! 
safe to let them run with the flock until they are a month to 6 
weeks of age, as they are liable to drop out of the flock and be' 
lost." 

From H. I. Kimball, Maxwell City, 1ST. Mex. : "I always keep 
the kids in a corral until they are old enough to follow the doe, 
which is when they are about 30 days old. In taking the kids 
to the corral care should be taken to get nothing on them that 
will change the scent, for does are very sensitive. If two kids 
from different does are rubbed together, the does will often refuse 
to own either of them. All kids should be castrated before 2 
weeks old, as there is less clanger and they do not get so sore." 

From C M. Scott, Malta, Idaho: "Take all the nannies out 
from the other goats as soon as they kid, and put them by them- 
selves. I have about 100 small pens in which I put the nannies. 
Put the young nannies and old ones in different pens. Here they 



134 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

flock. We use a bridge for the purpose of 'cutting back' such kids 
as should not go out with the flock." 

From H. T. Fuchs, Marble Falls, Tex. : "The easiest way to 
remain for 4 or 5 days and they are then turned into a larger pen, 
but not more than 50 should be put together." 

From Oscar Tom, Angora, Oreg. : "I aim to have a field of 
fall grain or reserved pasture to turn the does in a few days before 
kidding commences, and turn the does in another pasture as fast 
as they drop their kids. Keep the kids up about 2 weeks, then let 
them go with their mothers." 

From Henry Fink, Leon Springs, Tex. : "I stake the kid in a 
barn for 2 weeks. The mother goes out in the daytime to feed 
and is put with the kid at night. After 2 weeks the kid is turned 
loose and kept in a pen until 2 months old, when it is allowed 
to go out with the flock." 

Care oi the Feet. 

The toes will grow to a great length and turn up at the points, 
like an old-fashioned skate, if they are not trimmed. They will 
not only thus become a nuisance to the animal, but: will get sore 
and become very painful. Where the goat has the run of rocky 
land or land that is sandy to a considerable extent, hand trim- 
ming will not be necessary, but if for any cause the toes grow too 
long, they should be pared off with a knife. 

If the soil is wet much of the time, the animals are liable to be 
attacked with foot rot. For treatment of this disease, the reader 
is referred to the chapter on "Diseases and other enemies." 



CHAPTER X. 

FLOCK MANAGEMENT. 
Tlie Best Flock. 

It is assumed that whoever goes into the business of raising 
Angora goats will do so principally for the production of mohair, 
rather than meat or skins, and therefore it is to his interest to 
possess a flock that will yield a profit from the beginning. The 
best flock for this purpose is one composed of high grades, or 
thoroughbreds. (There are no purebred Angora goats, so far as 
any'one knows. ) Such a flock will produce good mohair from the 
first. There is a great difference between high-grade goats — in 
length, strength, luster, density, and fineness of fleece. The better 
these qualities, the higher will be the price. 

Whoever enters upon this industry will shape his plans to con- 
form to his capital, just as he would do in any other business. If 
he begins with high-grade does, they will cost him from $5 to $15 
each, and the prices of good bucks range from $20 to $100. Ex- 
ceptionally excellent bucks, especially winners in the show ring, 
will bring higher prices. A large flock of this kind of animals, 
although preferable, would cost a small fortune, and so be beyond 
consideration by the greater number of people who will engage 
in the industry. 

A Flock from Small S5« "inning. 

A plan that may be pursued by one who has limited capital 
is to begin with a few first-class animals and from these build 
up a flock. The result is quite sure to prove satisfactory. This 
may be the wisest plan for the beginner to follow, as experience, 
which is so necessary to success, will be gained as the flock in- 
creases. The mohair from such a flock will bring a good price and 
the kids are far more profitable than crossbreds. 

Crossing Upon the Common Does. 

It is observed in a previous chapter of this book that many 
years ago the Turks began the practice of crossing Angora bucks 
upon Kurd does. They had in mind the twofold purpose of pro- 
ducing thereby a hardier animal than the purebred Angora and 



136 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

of increasing the number of goats in order to supply the increased 
demand of Europe for mohair. The practice of crossing Angora 
bucks upon common does in the United States began at once upon 
their introduction, and the results have been satisfactory in that 
the industry was thereby saved to the country. It is probably 
a safe statement that if our supply of Angoras had depended en- 
tirely upon importations and their offspring, there would be noth- 
ing here now worthy to bear the dignified title of industry. 

Most of the large flocks of the Southwest had Mexican does for 
their foundation, but it is a most encouraging sign of the times that 
the practice is not followed any more except to a limited extent. 
The country has no further need of such crosses, and it is desirable 
that the practice cease altogether. The advantage claimed for 
crossing upon common does is that good does may be purchased 
at $1.50 to $2.50 each; that during the first and second crosses 
there are many twins, thus increasing the flock in that proportion — 
a condition not existing, except to a small extent, among the high- 
est bred Angoras; and the size and hardiness of the progeny are 
increased and the liability to disease decreased. 

Care should be exercised in starting a flock by this method to 
select only such common does as are entirely white ; any other color, 
however slight, is objectionable. There should be no dark spots 
on the skin. The offspring from such animals might prove satis- 
factory, but the probabilities are to the contrary. In handling 
crosses, the breeder finds that atavism, or reversion of type, often 
becomes apparent when it is most objectionable. 

It is also necessary, in order to insure best results, that the 
common does should have as short hair as it is possible to obtain 
it. This hair (known in the Angora fleece as kemp) will be cor- 
respondingly short in the crosses. Crosses upon long-haired does 
will oftentimes exhibit kemp from two to four inches long. This 
means a heavy shrinkage in noilage when the mohair reaches the 
manufacturer. 

The buck used upon these does and upon all the crosses should 
be the best one can afford. A poor buck will defeat the object of 
the breeder. It must be remembered that the excellence of mohair 
which is in view must be contributed entirely by the buck. All 
male crosses for many generations (a dozen would not be too many 
unless kemp should disappear) should be castrated and prepared 
for slaughter as soon as large enough. 

The building up of a flock of Angoras by the practice of cross- 
ing upon common does is not so rapid as many suppose. Let it be 
assumed that we have a floek of 100 common does which drop 
as many kids the first season. Half of these are bucks, leaving 



138 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

50 does for the next cross. These 50 drop 50 kids, 25 of which 
are does; the next cross would give 12 or 13, and the. fifth cross 6. 
This last number represents approximately the number of high- 
grade does that would result each year from a flock of 100 common 
does at the beginning. 

I have spoken of the fifth or sixth cross as being high grades, 
and so they are; but they are far, very far, from being purebreds, 
and it is probably giving them too much credit for excellence to 
call them thoroughbreds. A purebred Angora should not have 
any kemp whatever. How long time may be necessary to produce 
a kempless Angora from crossing upon common stock no one will 
venture to say. Instances have been reported where kemp was 
still in evidence after twelve crosses. 

While the purpose of the above paragraphs is to tell why cross- 
ing upon common stock is resorted to and how it is done, it is a 
practice to be discouraged at this time. The Angora goat breeders 
are just now doing their utmost to produce kempless animals, and 
this crossing is persistently working against their purposes. Every 
drop of common blood adds trouble extending over many years. 

Proper Age for Breedingt 

Goats of both sexes will sometimes breed when they are 5 
months old, and often at 6 months, but from the fact that they 
are at this age but a month or two from weaning time and are not 
nearly full grown, it is obvious that they should not be permitted 
to breed. They reach maturity when about 16 or 18 months old, 
and they ought not to breed before this time. If bred earlier the 
kids will not be so strong or so well developed. They are in their 
prime when from 2 to 6 years old, but with proper feeding in 
winter they have been known to breed regularly until 15 years old. 
The average life of goats, however, is about 12 years. There should 
be no tendency to keep does until they are very old unless they 
bring kids of exceptional merit, for it must be remembered that 
their mohair gets coarser, and consequently less valuable, as they 
grow older. Old does make very good mutton if fattened on 
grain, or if a good portion of their feed is grain. The cooking re- 
quires a little more time than for young animals. 

The accompanying illustration shows how the age of goats may 
be determined until they are four years old. After that, in the 
absence of definite information, the age is a mere matter of guess, 
based upon the general appearance of the animal. The new teeth 
are longer and larger. 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 



139 





FlRSt Ylar 



Slcond Year 




Fifth Yelar 
:he age shown by the teeth. 



In-and-ln Breeding. 

In-and-in breeding means the breeding of related individuals. 
The term is indefinite, and with some refers to a close relation- 
ship and with others to any degree of relationship. Extensive cor- 
respondence with the goat raisers of the United States shows that 
with them the term means generally the breeding of individuals 
of close relationship. 

There is an overwhelming sentiment against the practice be- 
cause of the injurious result to the constitution of the offspring. 
It is quite generally agreed, however, that in-and-in breeding will 
produce a fleece of finest fiber, having beautiful luster and little 
oil, but the weight will b,e reduced. The few who favor the prac- 
tice contend that the quality more than offsets the quantity. The 
offspring of related animals are not so large and strong as those 
which are not related ; they are quite delicate and naturally more 
subject to disease. The fact must not be overlooked, however, 
that John S. Harris, of Salem, Oreg., has followed in-and-in 
breeding continuously and with evident success, and, too, they are 



140 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

kept in a climate where the temperature in winter is sometimes 
far below zevo. But Mr. Harris is a gentleman who understands 
the art. of breeding. If all goat raisers knew so well the prin- 
ciples of breeding as he does, there might not be so many to con- 
demn the practice. However, they have learned much by experi- 
ence, and it can not be contended that they are wrong in advising 
generally against the practice. 

Management of the Buck. 

Bucks usually come in heat about the middle of July and con- 
tinue so about six months; does, however, do not usually come 
in heat until the latter part of August or the first of September. 
As the period of gestation in goats is from 147 to 155 days (or 
about five months), care must be taken in mating the animals to 
have the kids dropped in proper season, which will vary some- 
what with the locality. The kids should not come before the warm 
days of spring or when vegetation begins to put out vigorously. 
Therefore the buck should be put to service from November 1 to 
December 1, so that the kids will come about the first of April or 
May. The only objection to earlier kidding is the extra care re- 
quired to preserve the life of the kids, for they are exceedingly 
delicate for a few days, as has been stated before, and even a little 
cold at this season will probably prove fatal. 

A buck, like any other domestic animal, should be in the best 
possible condition when put to service. He should be well fed 
with grain for a few weeks before this time, and the feeding should 
be kept up until a few weeks after his service is ended. 

As to the number of does which a buck may serve, there is a 
great diversity of opinion. The greater number of goat raisers, 
however, think 40 or 50 is all that may be served with good re- 
sults. Col. Eichard Peters wrote that he had obtained the best 
results with 200 breeding does by turning in with them ten se- 
lected bucks. His object was to have the kids come as nearly at 
one time as possible, thus shortening the period of careful watch- 
ing. Eeferring to Colonel Peters's practice, Dr. J. E. Standley says 
he regards it a great success, and will adopt it in the future. He 
says, further: "I have tried the one-service system, also turning 
in bucks at night, removing them during the day, and other plans, 
but decidedly prefer Colonel Peters's plan/' 

Where there are very large flocks it is not always desirable that 
the kids should all come at one time. If they are dropped at inter- 
vals for a month, one attendant may thus be enabled to look after 
a large number, whereas if all come about the same time, one 
attendant could not do the work, and assistants Avho mav be 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 141 

strangers to the flock would be necessary. (It is not well to have 
many strangers with these goats at any time, and certainly not at 
kidding time.) 

The handling of "riginals" (ridgels) should have a word here. 
If the one testicle which descends is removed, the riginal will not 
get kids, but he will bother the does. If the descended testicle is 
not removed, he will breed without difficulty. He should be killed 
as soon as practicable. 

Number of Kids. 

Thoroughbred Angora goats do not generally drop more than 
one kid at a time, while the common goats nearly always drop two 
or three. There are many twins with the first cross, but the 
number of twins diminishes as the crosses become higher. It is 
stated that the purebred Angoras never dropped but one at a time, 
and that the presence of twins in a flock is evidence of a base 
origin of the goats. The latter statement is disputed by some, 
who believe that the purebred Angora (having no trace whatever 
of base blood) will drop twins as regularly as the common goat. 
This is a point that is liable to remain in dispute, as there is no 
way to settle it. 

In the Southwest, where most of the large flocks are located 
and where no particular care is given the goats on most ranches, 
the average percentage of kids is about 70. In other places, where 
such care is given the does at kidding time as they ought to have, 
the increase may easily be 100 per cent. There are instances of 
the increase reaching as high as 120 per cent. Good handling of 
a flock anywhere ought to give a kid for every doe of the flock. 

Size of Flocks. 

All goat raisers agree that Angoras can not stand crowding 
together ; and the higher the grade of the goats the more suscepti- 
ble are they to injury from crowding. 

Special stress should be laid upon this matter of crowding, for 
it is more serious than many people will be inclined to think. 
They will argue that goats ought to stand what sheep and hogs do 
in this respect, but the fact is they will not stand it. Let no one 
crowd his animals, and be convinced of his error when he finds 
a half dozen dead ones in his goat shed some morning. Goats 
require much fresh air and it must be afforded them. Many who 
have taken goats from the South to the North have worked injury 
to their flocks when attempting a kindness by providing barns 
too warm, without sufficient ventilation. For well-fleeced goats 
drv barns are needed more than very warm ones. 



142 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

To state just how many should be kept in a flock is difficult, 
as the number depends upon the character of their restraint. 
Where they have the range at day and large yards at night, the 
flocks may be very large, but where they have pasturage and small 
pens at night the flock must not be large. It is stated by some 
that goats in small flocks shear more than those running in large 
flocks. A flock ought not to exceed 2,000 in number. 

Dehorning. 

Dehorning the goats has received very little consideration, and 
it is probable that Q. M. Beck, of Beargrove, Iowa, is the only goat 
raiser who is now practicing it. Many other breeders report that 
they do not dehorn but believe it practicable, while a very few ex- 
press opposition to the practice. Mr. Beck writes as follows: 
"I dehorned 45 head last fall (1899) and found it a success, as 
it stops a great deal of bunting, which is liable to cause abortion, 
saves shed room, saves broken legs, and will save many kids." These 
same reasons have brought the dehorning of cattle in quite general 
favor among breeders, and it is probable that as the Angora goat 
industry grows into a large industry the practice of relieving the 
goats of their civilized weapons of warfare will be generally 
adopted. Mr. Beck dehorns in the fall after all flies are gone. 

A different view of the question of dehorning is taken by C. P. 
Bailey & Sons Co., who dehorned 250 head which were in a band 
by themselves. They bunted as much or more than before the 
horns were removed. "Goats always butt each other, but we have 
never seen any ill effects resulting, except occasionally a leg being 
broken from being caught between the horns. It deprives them 
of their only means of defense, and we consider it unnecessary and 
objectionable." 



CHAPTER XL 

SHEARING, SHEARS, AND SHEDDING. 
Shearing Once or Twice a Year. 

In Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and sometimes in California 
shearing is done twice a year — in the months of March or April 
and in September or October. The reasons for this are that the 
fleece will often shed in the fall as well as in the spring, if it is 
not clipped owing to the long warm season. H. T. Fuchs, of 
Texas, says: "1 find it quite necessary to shear twice a year, as 
they suffer too much from heat in the summer and autumn and 
even during the warm days in winter if they are not sheared about 
the middle of September, and in the springtime as soon as they 
begin to shed their long silky hair." There are occasional in- 
stances in these localities where goats carry their fleece through the 
year, but all breeders, except in some parts of California, repori. 
the practice of shearing twice a year. In the other parts of the 
country shearing is done but once a year, and that in the months 
of March or April. The rule for shearing time does not depend 
so much upon the calendar as upon the condition of the fleece. It 
should not be delayed until the fiber begins to shed, as then the oil 
will begin to go back into the body of the animal, the mohair thus 
losing its life and luster. After goats once begin to shed, the 
loss of mohair is considerable. A bit of the fleece may be caught 
upon a twig or thorn or silver and be pulled out. When the hair 
is not shedding the goat is very careful about its hair, for it gives 
pain to have it pulled; but when it is shedding the skin itches, 
and every effort will be made to rid itself of the fleece. 

As to the relative values of the semiannual and annual fleeces, 
there does not seem to be much difference of opinion. The semi- 
annual fiber is shorter and therefore less desirable for fabricating, 
and the price is not so high as for that of the annual fleece. It 
is generally agreed that the two shearings combined weigh a little 
more than the annual shearing, but probably the increase does not 
average more than a quarter of a pound. However, some who 
have practiced it report that the gain is not equal to the cost of the 
second, shearing, and that shearing twice is done from necessity 
rather than from the standpoint of profit. 



144 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

It is well to keep in mind the fact that our mohair manufac- 
turers have never yet been able to secure all the long staple that 
they needed, but at the same time the market has always been 
overstocked with the shorter staple. This is especially true of the 
mohair which is not over four inches in length. Much of the semi- 
annual shearing is not so short as this and so brings a better price 
in a more certain market. 

Use of Clipping Machines. 

The use of clipping machines, although largely employed among 
large sheep raisers, has not yet come into general use among goat 
raisers. Those who have used them indorse them, and they will no 
doubt soon come into general use. They are more rapid than hand 
work, and the results are more satisfactory. The cutting of the 
skin is easily avoided in reasonably careful hands, while it requires 
extreme care with hand shears to prevent cutting. Mr. H. I. Kim- 
ball, of New Mexico, says of the use of the machines: . "I sheared 
them [the goats] myself faster than the best hand shearer I ever 
saw, and I got a better price for my mohair." Another gentle- 
man says: "1 will say that the clipping machine for sheep will 
work well on goats in every respect. I have sheared ten goats in 
one hour and done up the fleeces.'' The power machines may op- 
erate any number of shears, all of which are connected with the 
driving shaft. The same machine, with one pair of the same kind 
of shears, is made for operation by hand power, A man or a boy 
of good strength -may easily operate this machine, while another 
applies the shears to the goat or sheep. The machine is not ex- 
pensive, and goat men generally will find it to be to their advantage 
to use it. 

Of course, the goat raiser will consider the relative cost of 
shearing with machines and by hand before he will purchase a 
machine. The decision will probably depend upon the number. 
The cost of hand shearing is about 4 cents a head. In the South- 
west there are Mexicans who follow the profession of shearing sheep 
and goats; these usually receive 2 cents a head with their board. 
Many of them will shear 85 or 90 a day, the average of all being 
about 60. Any man who can shear sheep can shear goats. If 
shearing is done by hand, a short-bladed shear should be used in 
order to avoid cutting the hair twice. 

Another objection to hand shearing is that there is often double 
cutting of the hair. The results are a shortening of the fiber and 
an increased amount of noilage. 

The shears tised for goats, both hand and machine, are the 
same as those used for shearing sheep. It is much easier for the 






POWER AND HAND SHEARING MACHINES. 
Manufactured by the Allen Sheep Shearing Machine Co., Chicago. 



146 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 



shearer and more humane to the goat if the shears are always 
sharp. 

I 
The Operation of Shearing. 

Goats are not so gentle in the hands of the shearer as sheep, 
and many, especially among beginners in the industry, are anxious 
to know how best to handle them during the operation of shearing. 
The illustration presented here is of a combination shearing 
trough and table, and was devised by F. W. Ludlow, of Lake Val- 
ley, N. Mex. This table is very simple and is equally suited to 




LUDLOW COMBINATION SHEARING TABLE. 

hand and machine shearing. It is first used in the shape of a 
trough. The goat is placed in it on its back and held down by 
means of an iron yoke across the throat. While in this position 
all the underparts, sides, and legs may be worked upon. Mr. Lud- 
low says that in machine shearing it is a good plan to start at the 
brisket and shear all the belly as far back as possible; then shear 
the front legs and neck ; then start at the hocks and shear up the 
hind legs and along the sides to the point of beginning. After 
shearing one of the sides allowed by the trough, the goat is tied — 
"hog-tied," to use a Western expression ; that is, all four feet are 
tied together. The sides of the trough are now dropped, forming 
a table upon which to finish the operation. The illustration shows 
that there is now free access from the tail to the head, and the goat 
remains helpless. In the illustration the fleece already cut has 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 



147 



been pulled away in order that the table might be shown, but 
the proper course is to leave all the fleece upon the table until 
the goat is liberated, and then roll it up inside out. 

Mr. Ludlow's description of this table is given herewith: "The 
table is simple in construction. It is about 22 inches high, 2 fee! 
10 inches long, and 21 inches wide. The top is composed of two 




9-inch sides, which are hinged to the 3-inch centerpiece. On the 
lower side of these movable flaps is a narrow piece 8 inches long, 
which catches on the framework of the table when the sides are 
lifted and holds them stationary. When the sides are elevated, the 
top of the table forms a trough 3 inches wide at the bottom and 
possibly a foot wide at the top. Into this trough the goat to be 
shorn is thrown feet up. A small iron yoke, which is attached to 
the end of one of the sides, is placed over the goat's neck and 
fastened to the other side. The goat's head is hanging over the 
end of the table and the yoke prevents it getting free. The belly 



148 



ANGORA GOAT RAIDING. 



and legs are then shorn. The legs of the goat are then tied to- 
gether, the yoke removed from the neck, and the sides of the table 
dropped, so that one has a plane surface on which to shear the rest 
of the animal. An untrained man can shear 100 goats a day with 
a shearing machine and such a table." Since Mr. Ludlow wrote 
the above, a Mexican in his employ sheared 226 goats in eight 




hours and fifteen minutes on this table, 
record for goat shearing. 



This stands as the world's 



Washing tlie Goats Before Shearing. 

If the animals have been well cared for through the winter 
and early spring, it will not be necessary to wash them before 
shearing. And yet it is next to impossible to have a flock where 
all or any considerable number of them are clean enough to shear 
without washing, and it will be time and money well spent to put 
them through the water. Most goat men do not wash their goats 
before shearing and this is the reason why so much very foul mo- 




GOAT CLIPPING MACHINE, 
Manufactured by Chicago Flexible Shaft Co. 



Chicago. 




SHEARING PLANT, USING STEWART SHEAR. 
Made by Chicago Flexible Shaft Co., Chicago. 



150 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

hair is thrown upon the market. Some goat men, like many sheep 
men, harbor the foolish notion that the mohair buyer is going to 
pay them just as much for their dirty mohair as for that which is 
comparatively clean. On the contrary, they are liable to be of- 
fered less than it is really worth. 

Care of the Fleece After Shearing. 

The operation of shearing should be done in a building free 
from straw and dirt, which might adhere to the fleece after it drops 
from the goat. It should then be rolled up, inside out, and packed 
in the sack without being tied in any way. This is the manner in 
which the mills desire to receive it. The practice of tying the 
fleece with almost any kind of twine that may be at hand obtains 
very largely among goat raisers in the United States, but not with 
those of Turkey and Cape Colony. The reasons why the mill 
operators do not desire fleeces tied are very forcibly stated by one 
of them (George B. Goodall), as follows: "I want to mention 
another evil which should be corrected, and that is the use of 
twine or string around the fleeces. Vegetable fibers will not take 
dyes used for animal fibers, and in cutting these strings hy the 
sorters more or less of the vegetable fibers get into the mohair and 
have to be carefully burled out from the face of the finished 
goods, which acids to the cost of each piece. A mohair should be 
simply rolled up without twine of any description. You never see 
it on Turkey or Cape mohair." 

Previous to the year 1902 the manufacturers complained bit- 
terly of the practice of many shippers of mohair tying fleeces 
with all sorts of dirty and frowsy twine. Some even used baling 
wire; and the instances were not rare where stones and clods 
weighing several pounds were found in the sacks. These were no 
doubt placed there to make additional weight, and they did: but 
the mohair buyer does not pay the freight, neither does he buy 
without careful examination of every sack, so the loss falls directly 
back upon the shipper. For the year 1902 the mohair buyers of 
American mohair state that there have been no flagrant efforts at 
fraud by such schemes. 

After the fleece is taken from the goat, it should be spread out 
upon a clean table, as stated before, and all foreign particles care- 
fully removed. The fleece is apt to contain straws, pieces of briers, 
burs, and sometimes even cockleburs, and all these should be taken 
out before the fleece is rolled up. While this procedure is neces- 
sarily tedious and to some may appear useless, it will pay. This 
work must be done somewhere, and wherever it is done the mo- 
hair producer pays for it either directly or indirectly. As labor 





HAND AND POWER SHEARING MACHINES. 
Manufactured by the Cooper Shearing- Machine Co., Chicago. 



152 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

on the farm and ranch is cheaper than that in the mills, it would 
better be done there. 

Some have adopted the practice of baling their mohair instead 
of using the old-fashioned sack; but the baling is not so satisfactory 
to the manufacturers as the sack, and it will therefore probably 
not be generally adopted. 

The Question of Shedding. 

The question of shedding is not now provoking so much dis- 
cussion as it did two or three years ago. There Avere a few breed- 
ers who maintained that purebreds and thoroughbreds would not 
shed their coats under natural conditions ; there were others who 
asserted that they would shed biennially ; others who maintained 
that the matter of shedding and nonshedcling was a question of 
feed and care and still others who stoutly affirmed that it is per- 
fectly natural for the Angora to drop his fleece annualky, and when 
he does not, it is the exception, not the rule, Avhich obtains. This 
last view is rapidly coming to be generally accepted by the breed- 
ers; at the same time, they acknowledge that there are some indi- 
viduals that carry their fleece two years. This characteristic of the 
individual, however, is not believed to be applicable to any partic- 
ular strain ; it is only an incident. 

As a rule, Angora goats, like sheep, shed their fleece annually 
as soon as the warm weather of spring opens up. In the Southern 
States, it is found that they will shed twice a year, and it is for this 
reason that semiannual shearing is practiced there. 



CHAPTER XII. 

DISEASES AND OTHER ENEMIES. 

Goats are less subject to a variety of diseases than sheep, yet 
there are some diseases that appear to affect both alike. The two 
animals are so closely allied that treatment for disease is about the 
same for both. 

Stomach worms (Strongylus contortus) affect goats as readily 
as sheep. They are also found in cattle and deer. In discussing 
this disease, the attention of goat raisers is called to some experi- 
ments conducted in Texas only quite recently by Dr. Ch. Wardell 
Stiles, then zoologist of the Bureau of Animal Industry. As this 
is an important and somewhat extensive disease, and as great care 
is needed in proper treatment, Dr. Stiles is quoted somewhat at 
length as follows: 

"Sheep, goats, and cattle suffer from the effects of roundworms. 
This is especially true during wet years. These parasites are found 
particularly in the lungs, the fourth stomach, and the bowels, and, 
when present in iarge numbers, they may result in death of 5 to 50 
per cent of a flock. For some of these parasites treatment is pos- 
sible, but for others treatment has not been found altogether 
satisfactory. 

"Eoundworms which live free in the fourth stomach or in the 
bowels may be expelled by using various drugs in drenches. A 
long list of medicines might be mentioned, but many of the drugs 
most highly recommended frequently fail to effect a cure. Fail- 
ures are clue to several causes: The drug itself may be of little 
or no value; it may not be administered in the proper dose; it 
may not be administered in the proper way. 

"One of the most commonly used drenches is turpentine, but 
more satisfactory results are obtained from the use of coal-tar 
creosote, or coal-tar creosote and thymol or gasoline, or bluestone. 

"I have had excellent success in treating sheep, goats, and cattle 
for the twisted wireworm {Strongylus contortus) with a 1 per cent 
solution of coal-tar creosote. The medicine is easily prepared and 
quite inexpensive. It may be purchased of the druggist in small 
quantities of 1 ounce or in pound bottles. One ounce is sufficient 
for about 20 adult sheep, and the cost of the treatment is less than 



154 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

one-half a cent per head ; if creosote is purchased by the pound, 
the cost is reduced to less than one-quarter of a cent per head. 
If creosote is called for at a drug store, beechwoocl creosote will 
usually be dispensed. This is more expensive than the coal-tar 
creosote and not so satisfactory in expelling worms. 

"A 1 per cent solution of coal-tar creosote is made as follows: 

Coal- tar creosote 1 ounce 

Water 99 ounces * 

"Twisted wireworms (Strongylus contortus), taken directly 
from the stomach of sheep or cattle, die in one-half to one and a 
half minutes when immersed in this solution. 

"If, in dosing, this liquid enters the lungs the animal may 
succumb in a few minutes. If the dosing is performed carefully, 
as much as 6 2-3 ounces may be given to a full-grown sheep with- 
out fatal results. In some cases, however, the animal shows ill 
effects, from which it usually recovers within half an hour. Six 
ounces were given to a number of sheep without the slightest ill 
effects. The following table gives the doses of the 1 per cent mix- 
ture which were used in about 400 cases without ill effects: 

Lambs 4 to 12 months old 2 to 4 ounces (about 60 to 120 c. c.) 

Yearling sheep and above 3 to 5 ounces (about 90 to 150 c. c.) 

Calves 3 to 8 months old 5 to 10 ounces (about 150 to 300 c. c.) 

Yearling steers 1 pint (about 480 c. c.) 

Two-year-olds and above 1 quart (about 960 c. c.) 

"Sheep, goats, and calves which received this treatment showed 
a marked improvement a few days after receiving a single dose. 

"In experiments with creosote at Washington, D. C, sheep were 
drenched with a 1 per cent solution and killed immediately after- 
wards. Upon opening the fourth stomach, it was found that the 
wireworms present were dead. In some cases where this was tried 
later, the wireworms were found to be still alive ; but it is believed 
that the explanation of this fact has now been discovered. Creo- 
sote does not appear to have much effect upon the worms below 
the stomach. 

"If an overdose is given by mistake, and if the sheep appears 
severely affected by it, the animal should be placed in the shade. 
Even in some cases of very severe overdoses, where the animal 
is given up for dead practically, it may entirely recover within an 
hour. 

"If, in addition to the stomach worms, the animals were suf- 
fering from severe infection of bowel worms, such as the hook- 
worms, better results were obtained in the treatment when pow- 
dered thymol was added to the creosote. In cases of this kind, the 



* 99 ounces equals 6 pints and 3 ounces. 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 155 

creosote solution is prepared, as directed above, and 30 to 80 or 
even 100 grains of thymol added to each dose after it has been 
measured. 

"Thymol is expensive, the price varying in different parts of 
the country. It may be purchased by the ounce, but it is con- 
siderably cheaper if purchased by the pound. Avoid using thymol 
which has become yellowish or reddish and which has run together 
in the bottle so as to form a solid mass. Powder the crystals and 
have the druggist measure 30 grains. Give 30 grains to a lamb, 
about 50 grains to a yearling, and 70 to 80 or 100 grains to older 
sheep, according to size. 

"In experiments I have had excellent results with a single 
dose of the creosote and thymol mixture. If necessary, however, 
the dose could be repeated after a week. 

"The popular method of drenching is with a bottle. The use 
of a drenching tube is, however, far more satisfactory. A drench- 
ing tube may be made by taking an ordinary tin funnel, which 
may be purchased for 5 or 10 cents, and inserting the narrow end 
into one end of a rubber tube or hose, say 3 feet long and three- 
eighths or one-half inch in diameter; into the other end of the 
rubber tube is inserted a piece of three-eighths-inch brass or iron 
tubing about 4 to 6 inches long. 

"The metal tube is placed between the animal's back teeth, and 
the sheep or calf is allowed to bite upon it. Tbe water or drench 
is poured into the funnel, which may be held by an assistant or 
fastened to a post at a convenient height. The man who holds 
the metal tube between the animal's teeth can control the animal's 
head with the left hand, and by holding the tube in the right hand, 
near the point of union of the rubber and metal tubes, he can 
easily control the flow of the fluid by pinching the rubber hose. 
Care must be taken not to hold the patient's nostrils closed, other- 
wise the dose will enter the lungs. 

"It is usually advisable to fast animals twelve to sixteen hours 
before dosing. 

"Different persons prefer to hold the animals in different posi- 
tions during drenching. Thus (1) the animal may be left stand- 
ing on all four feet; or (2) it may be placed on its haunches, 
one man holding its back up against his own body; or (3) it may 
be placed directly on its back on a sloping piece of ground, its 
head being in a direct line with its back, and higher than its rump ; 
or (4) it may be placed upon its side, the head being brought 
around so that the horns are squarely on the ground; the operator 
may then place one foot on one of the horns (especially in the 
case of semiwild cattle) and thus aid in holding the animal still. 



156 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

"So far as administering the close is concerned, the position 
on the back (3) is by far the easiest in the case of sheep, and the 
side position with head down (4) is the easiest in dosing cattle; 
furthermore, in these positions there is much less danger of an 
accident by getting the dose in the lungs. If animals are dosed 
standing or on their haunches, the nose should never be allowed 
to go above the eyes; otherwise the drench may pass down the 
windpipe into the lungs. 

"By dosing sheep with water colored red and blue with dyeing 
material, and killing the animals immediately after the liquid 
was swallowed the following results were obtained: 

"If the dose was given with the sheep standing, (1) almost 
the entire quantity went directly into the fourth stomach; if the 
sheep was placed on its haunches, the fluid passed in part into 
the fourth stomach and in part into the first (the paunch) ; if 
the sheep was placed directly on its back (3), or if a steer was 
placed on its side (4) with head down, almost the entire dose 
passed into the first stomach (the paunch). If the animal, even 
when standing (1), struggled to a considerable degree, a portion 
of the fluid passed into the paunch. 

"It will be immediately apparent that these facts are of prac- 
tical importance in closing. If, for instance, gasoline, turpentine, 
or creosote is used, better results may be expected, if the sheep is 
closed standing (1). 

PREVENTIVE MEASURES. 

"First. Every ranch should have a hospital pasture situated 
on high, dry ground, well drained, and without any pools or ponds. 
This should be supplied with raised troughs for watering and 
feeding, and the water supply should come from a well. This 
pasture should not drain into any pasture in which healthy stock 
are feeding. 

"Second. As soon as any sick animal is noticed in the large 
pasture it should be immediately separated from the healthy stock 
and taken to the hospital pasture. To allow sick animals to run 
at large with healthy stock means to deliberately permit the 
spread of infection in the pastures and thus endanger the unin- 
fected animals. 

"Third. Proper watering places should be supplied in the 
large pastures by digging wells and erecting windmills to pump 
the water into tanks. These tanks should be raised above the 
ground so that thev can not become contaminated with the ani- 
mal's droppings being washed into them by rains and floods. 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 157 

"Fourth. Select high sloping ground for pasture when this 
is possible. Low pastures should be properly drained. 

"Fifth. When practicable, burn the pastures regularly, thor- 
oughly, and systematically. The heat from the burning grass will 
kill many of the eggs and young worms on the grass, ground, and 
in the droppings. 

"Sixth. As parasites are more fatal to young animals than to 
old, a liberal supply of oats or some similar food will aid in 
giving to young animals strength which will enable them to with- 
stand the infection. A daily allowance, say, half a pound of oats 
per lamb, ought to reduce the mortality. At first they may not 
be inclined to eat it, but they will soon become accustomed to it. 
This simple precaution is reported as very effectual in New Zea- 
land. 

"Seventh. Keep plenty of salt accessible to the animals. Some 
men add slaked lime to the salt; others add 1 part of sulphate of 
iron to 100 parts of salt. As a matter of experience, salt kills 
many young worms.'*' 

In the Southwest the goats are sometimes affected with grub 
in the head. These outbreaks are usually due to local causes and 
have not been difficult to overcome. The treatment followed is the 
same as for sheep. 

The treatment recommended for the screw worm is as follows : 
Add to any one of the carbolic sheep dips 10 per cent of chloro- 
form. Apply this mixture, after thoroughly cleaning the wound, 
with a wad of cotton. The chloroform immediately destroys the 
larvas and the carbolic dip prevents the- further blowing of the 
wound. 

The stomach worm (Strongylus contortus) is the same form as 
found in sheep, cattle, and deer. The treatment in all cases is the 
same as for sheep. 

In this connection it is proper to state that there are proprietary 
worm powders on the market for stomach worms which are used in 
enormous quantities with sheep and goats, and they have given 
quite general satisfaction. The toxaline treatment, which is well 
known to readers of sheep journals, has many strong advocates 
among those who have used it. These facts are given because the 
goat breeder, no less than the sheep breeder, is entitled to all infor- 
mation that has in any way proved valuable. 

Goats have at least three kinds of scab parasites peculiar to 
their species, but apparently only two kinds of scab develop. 
Psoroptic scab of sheep does not develop disease upon them, though 
it can undoubted] v sustain life for a while. 



158 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

Tapeworms of the genus Moiiiezia are found in goats. In the 
intestines are also found five round worms, namely, Strongylus 
fiUcollis, Aesophagostoma venulcsum, Sclerostoma hypostomum, 
Uncinaria cernua, and Trickocephalus affinis. 

Verminous pneumonia of sheep also occurs in goats. 

Tuberculosis is sp rare in goats that it may he said that they 
are practically immune from this widespread and insidious dis- 
ease. 

Takosis in Goats. — A disease of goats which appears to be 
prevalent among the flocks in certain sections of this country was 
investigated by the Bureau of Animal Industry in 1902, and 
described in the Nineteenth Annual Report under the name of 
Takosis, by Dr. Jno. R. Mohler. This term is used to designate a 
progressive debilitative, but none the less highly fatal, infectious 
disease, the symptoms and lesions of which are entirely unlike any 
of the known diseases which affect this species of animals. Eeports 
have been received from goat owners in Oregon, Missouri, Virginia, 
Maryland, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Massachusetts, all 
describing the affection as an incurable, weakening, and wasting 
disease, usually accompanied by uncontrollable diarrhea and occa- 
sional cough. 

That this disease is not of recent origin appears evident from 
an article in the Country Gentleman of April, 1876, which states 
that, despite the friendly warning of a naturalist against taking- 
Tibet goats into Georgia, the writer in 1854 consummated a pur- 
chase and encountered some thoroughly discouraging experiences. 
Later in recounting these experiences he wrote that all the Tibet 
goats, pure and grades, in his flock died in a few years after the 
purchase from a disease of the lungs combined with dysentery. A 
writer in the Country Gentleman of February 4, 1875, also reports 
serious losses in a flock placed in his care. Although no specific 
symptoms are recorded the description is highly suggestive of 
takosis. 

Pegler (1885), in his description of a disease peculiar to goats, 
has mentioned the symptoms which might in most particulars 
very well be applied to a flock affected with this disease. Not- 
withstanding takosis appears to have been known to some individ- 
ual breeders for a long time, it seems to have remained in a 
smoldering condition and not until the affection became so wide- 
spread during the past year was its economic importance brought 
to the attention of the Bureau of Animal Industry and the char- 
acter and causation of the disease elucidated. 

Takosis of goats is undoubtedly contagious and the recent 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 159 

investigations have proven conclusively that it is caused by a 
specific organism the Micrococcus caprinus, which need not be 
described here. 

In order to demonstrate the pathogenic properties of this 
micrococcus and establish its etiological significance to the disease 
in question, inoculation experiments were conducted upon white 
mice, white and brown rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens, dogs, 
sheep, and goats. Of these animals, dogs and rats have appeared 
totally immune. The only noticeable effect of inoculation upon 
sheep was a temporary rise of temperature. 

The disease presents many of the symptoms usually accompany- 
ing a parasitic invasion of diarrhea and pneumonia. In the early 
stages of the affection there is usually little to indicate that any- 
thing is seriously amiss with the animal. The first observable 
symptom manifested is the listless and languid demeanor of the 
animal evidenced by its lagging behind the flock and is usually 
accompanied by a drooping of the ears and a drowsy appearance 
of the eyes. The pulse is slow and feeble and the temperature is 
elevated slightly at first, but becomes subnormal a few days before 
death. The highest temperature observed in the natural disease 
was 104.1° and the lowest, in a prostrated animal a few hours 
before death, registered 99.7° F. Snuffing of the nose, as in a 
case of coryza, and occasionally coughing is sometimes in evidence. 
They would move about in a desultory manner, with back arched, 
neck drawn clown toward the sternum, and with a staggering gait. 
Elimination is seldom impaired. The appetite, while not so 
vigorous, is still present, though capricious, and the affected 
animals show plainly that the ravages of the disease are rapidly 
overcoming the restorative elements derived from the food. The 
fleece usually presents a surprisingly thrifty appearance when the 
condition of the animal is taken into consideration. All the 
exposed mucous membranes are pale and the respirations are accel- 
erated and labored. The goats become so weak that they are 
readily knocked down and trampled upon by their fellows. If 
picked up they move off slowly and eat a little, but within a few 
hours are down again, and in this way linger for several days, 
shrinking to about half their natural weight, and occasionally 
bleating or groaning with head bent around on the side or drawn 
down to the sternum. A fluid discharge from the bowels of a very 
offensive odor is usually observed in the last few days of life, but 
this symptom is not constant. 

This disease may assume an acute or chronic type, the animal 
usually dying of inanition in from eight days to six or eight weeks. 



160 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

Several owners have reported deaths after only two or three days 
of illness, but the goats doubtless had been affected for a longer 
period, although not noticed on account of their mingling in; the 
flock. It is the consensus of opinion among the breeders inter- 
viewed that many of the animals succeeded in living for weeks, but 
they gradually became weaker and more debilitated and finally 
died in a comatose condition. In no instance has the natural 
recovery of an animal been observed after once the symptoms of 
takosis were noted. The younger goats seem to be the most 
susceptible to the disease, although the old animals are by no 
means immune. The does, wethers, and bucks all become affected, 
but probably as a result of the usual preponderance of does in a 
flock the latter appear to be the most susceptible. 

As already indicated the general appearance of the carcass 
simulates that produced by a wasting disease. The visible mucous 
membranes are pale and anemic, while the fleece, which appears dry 
and lusterless, furnishes a shroud for the extreme emaciated condi- 
tion that is perceptible on skinning. Tins masking quality of the 
hair prevents an accurate estimate of the condition of the animal 
by the eye alone and necessitates handling of the individual cases 
to appreciate to the full extent the inroads made by the affection. 
The same anemic condition of the subcutaneous and muscular 
tissues is observed in deluding the carcasses. The lungs in most 
cases are the seat of a peculiar diversified inflammation, never of 
a remarkable extent. The external appearance of these organs is 
at times mottled, caused by a few congested areas, several patches 
of an iron-gray color similar to areas of pneumonia during the 
process of absorption and normal tissues. The liver is usually 
normal, but necrotic areas were observed in one case, clue probably 
to parasitic invasion. The kidneys are anemic and softened. The 
intestines may contain normal fecal matter or semifluid feces of 
disagreeable odor. 

The effects of internal parasites upon goats are very similar in 
many of their outward manifestations to the symptoms of takosis, 
but the infectious nature of the latter when compared with the 
enzootic course of a parasitic invasion will justify one in making 
a definite diagnosis. In attacks of takosis symptoms of pneumonia 
will be frequently noted, especially labored breathing or rapid 
respiration. These symptoms are not cliagnositic of parasitism. 
The edamatous lump under the jaw so frequently present in cases 
of parasitism fails in takosis. The luster of the fleece is less 
affected in takosis, while diarrhea is more frequently noted. Finally 
in parasitism a careful postmortem examination will quickly dis- 
close the presence of the offending parasites. 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 161 

In goats anemia is very rare and when it does occur it is usually 
secondary to some previously existing disease as chronic pneumonia, 
peritonitis, or to poor food and starvation. It does not assume an 
infectious character and may be differentiated from the anemic 
condition accompanying takosis by the absence of the specific 
organism on microscopic examination. 

Watery cachsia or hydremia usually results from poor feeding, 
innutritious food, and pasturing in low lands. The natural goat 
pasture is high, dry lands. The animal is weak, readily exhausted, 
breathes rapidly and heart palpitates. The mucous membranes of 
the eyes, nose, and mouth are pale and swollen. The edema which 
is present about the head and neck and abdomen will serve to dif- 
ferentiate this disease from takosis. This edema of the head dis- 
appears when the animal lies down. Icterus may accompany the 
disease when the discoloration of the mucous membrane easily 
establishes the nature of the affection. A change of pasture and a 
more nutritious diet are accompanied by a return of health to the 
flock. 

In the study of takosis, four points have been brought promi- 
nently into view which may properly be grouped together when 
considering measures for the prevention of the disease. Sudden 
climatic changes should be avoided so far as possible, and when 
shipments of goats for breeding purposes are to be made, which 
necessitate their transportation northward over considerable dis- 
tances, the changes should be made during the months of summer 
or late spring, and not in the fall or winter, when the contrast 
of temperature will be so much greater. The' second precautionary 
measure is closely allied to the first, namely, Angora goats should 
be provided with stables that are thoroughly dry, not alone in their 
ability to shed rain, but they should be placed upon ground that 
has perfect natural drainage, and these should be accessible by 
them at all times, as the effect of rains upon the general health 
and strength of these animals has been frequently proven to be 
very disastrous. So great is their natural aversion to a wetting 
that they will seldom get caught out in a shower if shelter is within 
their reach, but will leave their browsing and march under cover 
before the downpour. As a third measure of prevention may be 
mentioned careful feeding. No animal is as well fortified against 
the attack of an infection when reduced by lack of nourishment as 
it is when in a vigorous, thriving condition. Among the predispos- 
ing causes of disease, usually enumerated by general pathologists, 
will be found debility due to insufficient or unsuitable food, and 
although the reason for this mav not be established bevond the 



162 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

reach of argument, it is pretty generally conceded that the con- 
tinued lack of proper nourishment establishes in the blood of an 
animal an abnormal degree of alkalinity which grants an increased 
susceptibility to the inroads of pathogenic organisms. The last 
preventive measure to be mentioned is one that is applicable only 
after the disease has made its appearance in the flock. The segrega- 
tion, or isolation, of all affected animals as soon as they evince any 
symptoms of the disease, will be found a most valuable means of 
protection for those that remain unaffected, and a strict quarantine 
over all of the diseased members of the flock should be maintained 
so long as the disease remains upon the premises. 

The. sheds, yards, and corrals Avhere the animals have been kept 
should be disinfected with a five per cent solution of creolin or 
carbolic acid. 

The most pleasing results that have been derived from the use 
of drugs have followed the administration of calomel given alone 
in .10 gram doses twice daily for two days, to be followed by 
powders composed of arsenic, quinine, and iron as follows: 
Arsenious acid, 1.40 grams; iron, reduced, 12 grams; quinine 
sulphate, 6 grams. Mix and make into twenty powders, giving one 
to each adult goat morning and evening, at the conclusion of the 
administration of calomel. After an interval of two days this 
treatment is repeated. 

Experiments are at present under way with a view of procuring 
a vaccine for the preventive inoculation of exposed goats, but the 
results thus far obtained are not uniform, and further investigation 
must be made before any definite statements will be hazarded. 

Goats are apt to have foot rot, but a cure is easily effected by 
the use of sulphate of copper (blue vitrol). It is usually applied 
by driving goats through a trough containing a solution of strong 
blue vitrol. The solution should be about an inch in depth. Oscar 
Tom, a breeder of much experience, says : "Butter of antimony 
applied with a stiff feather will cure it, or mix 1 ounce of sul- 
phuric acid with 2 ounces of vinegar and apply as above. Go over 
the whole band. Generally one application cures if well done. 
Change the range at the same time if you can." 

All goats become infested with lice if they do not receive 
proper attention. It is not a difficult matter, as all men agree, 
to rid goats of this annoyance by dipping them, as sheep are 
dipped, in any of the common sheep-dip preparations. The ani- 
mals can not thrive to best advantage when they are carrying a 
fleece full of lice ; oftentimes the lice become so numerous as to 
cause the goat to lose much flesh and finally to fail to produce a 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 163 

good quality of mohair, or even to produce a kid, if the infested 
animal is a doe. Goat raisers should know that an animal which 
is badly infested with lice in the winter always requires an extra 
amount of feed; in other words, if lice are to be raised they must 
be fed. The better practice is to dip goats twice a year — in the 
spring just after shearing and again in the fall. 

One of the principal enemies of the Angoras is the wolf. The 
best guard against wolves is a good wire fence. Sometimes the 
wolves dig under the fence, and then it becomes necessary to trap 
them. This is practiced by H. T. Fuchs, who says : "Three steel 
traps are fastened to each other, but to nothing else, and catch 
the wolves. If the trap is made fast the wolf will break loose, but 
the weight of three traps fastened together simply tires the wolf 
out, and it rarely drags them more than 200 or 300 yards." 

In many localities the wildcats are especially troublesome. 
Their prey is the kids. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

THE SKINS AND THEIR USES. 
Their Use as Rugs, Robes, and Trimmings. 

The skins of the Angoras, if taken when the hair is about 4 
inches long, make very handsome rugs. The hair retains its origi- 
nal luster, and may be used in the natural white or dyed any 
color desired. The pure white ones are more generally preferred. 
There is a demand for Angora rugs in the United States ..which so 
far has not been supplied by domestic production. These rugs 
can be purchased at prices ranging from $4 to $8. 

Another article of manufacture from the skins is the carriage 
robe, rivaling in beauty and durability the buffalo robe, which 
is no longer a factor in the market. They are not expensive when 
the demand for skins is considered, and may be purchased for 
about $20. Tbe smaller skins of the does and wethers and the kid 
skins find an extensive use in baby carriages, and are exceedingly 
attractive in their brilliant whiteness. 

These skins are used largely in the manufacture of children's 
muffs and as trimmings for coats and capes. The finest kid fleeces 
adorn the collar and border of the ladies' most handsome opera 
cloaks. In tbe stores they are sold often under some peculiar 
name which does not inform the purchased that they are orna- 
mented with the hair of tbe Angora goat, and so thousands of 
such articles are worn by people who are unaware of the true name 
of their "furs/"' 

Their Use as Leather. 

While the skin should always be taken as an item of salvage, 
it is not at all probable that it will ever be profitable to produce 
them for leather. The skin should be removed from the carcass 
very soon after death, else decomposition in its most incipient 
stage will cause the hair to "slip." If the skin happens to con- 
tain a fleece of sufficient length, it might be converted into a rug 
or robe; if not, it can be tanned and used for binding books or 
manufactured into gloves of excellent quality. The skin of the 
Angora is of a more delicate texture than that of the common 
goat and so is not suitable for shoe leather. This feature will 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 



165 



forever preclude the possibility of its becoming a competitor of 
the goatskins, which are now imported for shoe leather. Angora 
skins for leather will not bring as good a price in the market as 
those of the common goat. A prominent New York dealer in 
skins says: "Domestic skins are worth from 50 cents for kids up 
to $2 each for large full-fleeced pelts. The low, crossbred com- 
mon skins and short pelts not suitable to dress are used by mo- 
rocco and glove leather manufacturers, and are worth from 15 to 
18 cents a pound for large sizes down to 10 and 11 cents for small 
ones and kids." 

Tanning and Dressing the Skins. 

There are many recipes in various books for tanning and dress- 
ing skins; but the sale of Angora rugs and robes at good prices 
depends so much upon their excellent appearance that it is rec- 
ommended that the work be placed in the hands of a professional 
tanner. Even then it is well to be certain of the character of his 
work, for goat men have frequent cause of complaint that their 
skins have not been well manipulated. Tanners who have done 
good work with Angora skins should advertise in those papers 
which devote space to Angora goat discussion. They will help 
themselves and at the same time aid a feature of the industry 
that is to be ever present. 

Importations of Angora Goatskins. 

While there is a duty of 12 cents a pound on mohair and a 
varying schedule applying to mohair manufactures, skins having 
fleeces attached are admitted duty free. Importations are without 
doubt very considerable, as large numbers are in use, and we know 
that the domestic production is yet Very limited. 

The two tables herewith will give some idea of the extent of 
importations at Boston and Philadelphia. The importations at 
New York must be much greater, but the reports previous to 1902 
are not readilv available. 



IMPORTATION OF ANGORA GOATSKINS INTO THE PORT OF BOSTON FROM 

DECEMBER 15, 1901 

Date of Entry. 

1898. 

July 1,800 5,388 $574 

August 750 2,292 244 

1901. 

April 2,378 6 942 705 

July 2,585 8,308 914 

August 400 2,247 239 

October 750 2,196 245 

November 900 2,898 319 

December 15 1,500 4,306 480 



Number 
of skins. 


Weight. 




Pounds. 


1,800 


5,388 


750 


2,292 


2,378 


6 942 


2,585 


8,308 


400 


2,247 


750 


2,196 


900 


2,898 


1,500 


4,306 



166 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 



IMPORTATIONS OF ANGORA GOATSKINS INTO THE PORT OF PHILADELPHIA FROM 

1896 TO 1901. 



Date of Entry. 


Pounds. 


Value. 


1896 


706.571 
716,343 
19 540 
1,113.974 
790,782 
430,458 


$ 76,378 


1897 


86 841 


1898 


2 754 


1899 


152 601 


1900 


144 577 


1901 


62 707 







iiim#fL| 


-kjfc-.-fr,, '^jfc -y 


1/ 1 









AFRICAN GOATS. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

MINOR FEATURES OF IMPORTANCE. 
Enrichment of tlie Land. 

In the chapter dealing with goats as brush exterminators ref- 
erence is made to the enrichment of the land by their droppings. 
This benefit is decidedly noticeable on land where they are kept 
a year or more. This is a factor of no small importance, not only 
where the goats have been employed to destroy brushwood, but on 
cleared land which may have grown up to weeds which the goats 
eat greedily. 

The sheds where the goats are kept at night should be cleaned 
out frequently and the manure preserved in bins where it can be 
kept dry. This manure may afterward be put upon the land in 
accordance with the farmer's plans. Goat manure was applied to 
the corn crop on a worn-out farm in Maryland with wonderful 
results. Land which ordinarily would not yield over fifteen bush- 
els to the acre gave forty bushels after the goat manure was ap- 
plied. Owing to the scarcity of the manure, much of it was ap- 
plied by the handful at a time in the hill as the corn was planted. 
This is the practice with commercial fertilizers and is getting the 
most out of little. Manure is considered as one of the resources in 
the best system of modern farming, and it should be taken into 
account by any one who is keeping goats or is contemplating 
doing so. 

There is no better fertilizer for fruit trees and lawns than goat 
manure, and none equal to it for this purpose except sheep ma- 
nure. The droppings of goats and sheep are about equal in fer- 
tilizing value. It has been estimated that the value per ton of the 
manure produced by a sheep is $3.30, and it is certain that the 
goat produces as much and probably more than the sheep. 

Protection for Sheep. 

The statement that an Angora buck running with a flock of 
sheep will protect them from the attack of clogs has received wide 
publicity. Much that has been published is without foundation, 
yet much also is correct. Some breeders state positively that the 
goats are as cowardly as sheep and just as liable to be attacked by 



168 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

dogs, while others cite instances where dogs have actually been 
driven off. No doubt both statements represent the experiences of 
the respective breeders. It is a fact that one or two bucks will 
serve to protect a flock of sheep if they are trained to attack clogs. 
Very little effort is required to train them, for they are fighters 
naturally, and their pugnacious disposition is easily developed. 
Indeed, the most docile doe may be trained to clo the same service. 
Some pertinent remarks along this line are made by H. T. Fuchs, 
of Marble Falls, Tex., a well-known breeder of Angoras. He says : 
"It is quite amusing to see the courage of a doe when she protects 
her young kid from a dog, or hog, or fleck of buzzards. Two of 
my neighbors' dogs got in the habit of killing my kids, and one 
doe protected her kid quite a while from the two large vicious dogs 
until the neighbor caught one of the dogs and gave him a good 
whipping, when the goat assisted in this work by butting the dog 
with all her might. You should train the goats to be brave by 
taking your clogs into the goat pen with you, and, in case the dog 
refuses to run from a brave goat, scold the dog to make the goat 
think that she whipped him. If you had a tame wolf trained in 
that way you could train your goats to fight Avolves." 

Because of their inclination to fight dogs, bucks have been em- 
ployed in small numbers — say from one to three — to run with 
sheep. A few will remain with sheep for their company, but a 
considerable number are apt to separate to themselves and remain 
away from the flock. 

There is very little complaint regarding the ravages of dogs 
by breeders of Angora goats, while the sheep raiser has them us 
his foe always. Ordinarily an Angora buck will vanquish a dog 
and it is not likely that the goat industry will suffer from the 
ravages of dogs. 

Notwithstanding all this, the owner of Angoras will be wise 
if he keeps a close watch upon them until they demonstrate their 
ability to care for themselves in a contest. It might be well to 
send a few bucks to the kind of school mentioned by Mr. Fuchs. 

Disposition of tlie Angora. 

The remarkable intelligence of these little animals has already 
been mentioned; but a question often asked is "Are they ugly?" 
Yes, if they are made so by teasing, just as dogs, cats, horses, or 
pet roosters are made ugly. In flocks they are as docile as sheep 
and very soon learn to regard man as their friend. 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 169 

Their Use as Pets. 

The highbred Angoras are very graceful, and their beautifully 
shaped bodies and fine silky hair make them very attractive. There 
is no animal, except possibly the horse, that is more beautiful than 
these goats, and no animal is more cleanly in his habits. As pets 
for children they are very popular, if they can be kept where they 
will be harmless to vegetation and anything made of cloth. They 
have all the propensities of the common goat for destroying fruit 
trees and chewing any kind of cloth and of climbing upon roofs. 
All kinds of goats are mischievous in the extreme. The Angoras 
are tractible and are often harnessed to carts, as are common goats, 
and their beauty makes them more desirable for this purpose. 
They are remarkably intelligent and are easily trained. The high- 
grade Angoras are free from the "goat odor" so objectionable in 
the common breed, and this is a very good reason why they are 
preferred as pets even if their beauty is not considered. It is true, 
however, that the average high-grade Angora is a smaller and more 
delicate animal than the common breed and must not be expected 
to draw heavy loads. 

Wliere to Buy Angora Goats. 

In this industry, as in every other, the public is informed that 
there are breeders of good goats, breeders of poor goats, brokers 
in all kinds of goats, and a host of unscrupulous dealers who are 
taking advantage of the great interest manifested at this time 
and have no reputation to lose. Most people who purchase ex- 
press a desire to see the animals they buy. This is natural and 
affords some satisfaction ; but the fact is that, unless such a buyer 
is familiar with goats, he will know very little about them after 
seeing them. There would be no difficulty in imposing upon him. 
If one is not familiar with the points of an Angora, he would 
himself be liable to choose the poorest animals out of a flock. Be- 
cause an animal is large, lively, and strong is not an evidence 
that it is worth the cost of expressage to the next town. 

In this industry, as in all others, the purchaser must depend 
largely upon the reputation of breeders. There are very many en- 
tirely reliable breeders, and it is not a very difficult matter to 
ascertain the standing and practice of any one who offers goats 
for sale. Prospective purchasers should consult the advertise- 
ments of goat breeders, and, if any question arises in the mind, 
ask such breeders for references. And, too, let such a man, if he 
orders goats, to be paid for on delivery, furnish references as to 
his own reliability. If he writes to some one not directly interested, 



170 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

let him inclose a stamp for reply. A stamp is a small matter, it is 
true, but the postage bill of some breeders amounts to several 

dollars per month. 

/ 

How to Handle Angora Goats. 

The best way to catch and hold an Angora is by the horns. It 
will struggle but little after it finds that its horn is in a secure 
grasp. To catch hold of it any other way gives it an opportunity 
to show all its strength, which is not a little in a healthy goat. 
Sheep are often caught by the wool and held without giving pain 
apparently, but it is painful to a goat to be caught thus. Many 
who are not familiar with the Angora seize it by the fleece at once, 
without a thought of the pain they give. This is not only painful 
for the animal but it is difficult to hold it when caught in this 
way. 

If it is desired to place the animal on its haunches, take its 
right horn with the right hand, if standing on the right side of the 
goat, and seize the left front leg with the left hand, and then lift 
it up, at the same time pulling it backward over the feet or knee. 
This is easily done and clone without injury. To place the animal 
on his back or side, reach both arms over its back, seizing a front 
leg and a hind one and then lift it up onto your knees quickly. 
It can then be placed in any position desired. 

Will Angoras Cross with Sheep? 

They will not cross with sheep, for the reason that goats and 
sheep are not of the same genus. This statement is made upon the 
authority of leading naturalists in this country and with full 
knowledge of the reports of the existence of such crosses, but they 
are, like the petrified human being, "somewhere else." There is 
a peculiar animal in New Mexico called the '"cabrito" (male) or 
"^brita" (female), Spanish words for the young of the goat. 
It is commonly but incorrectly spelled "cabretta." This animal, 
especially when young, resembles the young of the goat very much, 
and from this fact it probably receives its name. It is nothing 
else than a lamb, the offspring of the Navajo ram upon a ewe of a 
common and better developed breed of sheep. There is no goat 
blood in it. The Navajo sheep, especially the ram, is said to be a 
coarse-wooled, leggy, upstanding creature, with horns extending 
backward like those of the goat, and might, upon casual observa- 
tion, easily be taken for a goat. It is the wool of this sheep that 
is made into the well-known Navajo Indian blankets. 

Schreiner cites several records of hybrids of the goat and the 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 171 

sheep, and says he had himself seen four animals "represented as 
being the hybrid progeny of such a cross." 

The facts which confront us in discussing this question are that 
Angoras and sheep have been running together in this country for 
the last fifty years, and yet no one of scientific standing has ven- 
tured to say that he has seen a hybrid from them. From the 
practical standpoint of the breeder it is entirely safe to say that 
the goat and sheep will not interbreed. 

Colonel Peters, in the American Agriculturist, November, 
1876, says : "Trior to the year 1860 I tried many experiments, in 
hopes of obtaining a cross between the goat and sheep, and failed in 
every instance. Extensive correspondence with other breeders has 
convinced me that the cross can not be obtained. Dr. John Bach- 
man, the celebrated naturalist of Charleston, S. C, wiio was in 
correspondence with the most distinguished naturalists of Europe, 
informed me that he had no faith in the theory, and did not be- 
lieve the cross obtainable. He stated, however, that Cuvier, the 
renowned French naturalist, claimed to have examined a speci- 
men of such a hybrid, but Dr. Bachman himself believed that 
Cuvier had been deceived, or had made a mistake. 

How to Designate the Sexes. 

The proper designation for the male goat is "buck" and for 
the female "doe." Previous to the issuance of the Government 
bulletins, the buck was indiscriminately referred to as male, sire, 
buck, ram, and billy; and the female was known as doe, ewe, and 
nanny. The terms "buck" and "doe" used in the publications re- 
ferred to are generally adopted at this time, and are given official 
sanction by their use in the catalogues and premium lists of the 
American Angora Goat Breeders' Association. 

The castrated goat is designated as a "wether," as with sheep. 
In Cape Colony he is called a "kapater," and the sheep r wether is 
there called a "hamel ;" but these are foreign words which mean 
no more than our own American words, and there is no reason why 
they should be adopted by us. 

The young is called "kid,"" and there appears to be absolute 
unanimity in this designation. 

What to Call the Flesh. 

The flesh of the Angora goat has not yet been found in many 
markets, and there is yet no general accepted term for it. Some 
speak of it as "Angora mutton" and others as "Angora venison." 
It is claimed that if an animal has had a liberal diet of leaves 
and twigs while beina; fattened its flesh has the game flavor of 



172 ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 

venison, and people who are familiar with this kind of feeding, 
call the meat Angora venison. If an Angora is fattened largely 
on forage and grain, its flesh will have a taste very much like 
mutton fattened under similar conditions. Those who have eaten 
of this kind of Angora flesh call it Angora mutton. Since it is 
entirely probable that most Angoras that will go into the market 
for meat will be finished off on grain, and so resemble mutton, 
it is better that the flesh be called Angora mutton. The term is 
just as good as "Angora venison," and it has a domestic sound. 

By-Products Not Elsewhere Mentioned. 

In the modern methods of economic production and manufac- 
ture nothing is permitted to go to waste. Whoever it was that said 
facetiously that the packers saved every portion of a hog but his 
squeal spoke the truth. The same truth applies as well to the 
carcass of any food animal. In the case of goats the horns find 
many uses, and the fat is said to be the best tallow known for the 
manufacture of candles. Any part of the carcass not useful in 
any other way is converted into fertilizer. 

Registration Association. 

The American Angora Goat Breeders' Association was organized 
in 1900 at Kansas City, Mo. Previous to that time there was in 
existence the National Angora Eecord Association, with headquar- 
ters at Salem, Oreg., but its members generally entered the first 
mentioned and the latter went out of existence. 

As it is not known that there exists anywhere a purebred An- 
gora goat, it was manifestly impossible to base registration upon 
pure blood. Tbe association created a force of inspectors whose 
duty it was to inspect goats for registration upon application and 
recommend to the secretary. Any goat fulfilling the standard re- 
quirements was registered. The number thus registered was 
4-0,000. 

The registration books were closed against all such inspections 
on December 31, 1901. Since then only the offspring of regis- 
tered parents are eligible for registry. 

The Tariff. 

The act approved July 21, 1897, places a duty of 12 cents per 
pound upon mohair. Mohair cloth for buttons is taxed 10 per 
cent ad valorem. These rates are subject to increase under certain 
conditions of shipments. Angora skins with mohair attached are 
admitted free of duty. 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 173 

The Province ot a Goat Paper. 

The purpose of this manual is to touch upon all points of the 
Angora goat industry, yet the author is conscious of the fact that 
a thousand questions will grow out of the experience of the next 
few years. No one could prelend to assume to know what they 
will be and to answer Ihem at this time. While a manual of goat 
raising is invaluable and ought to be in the hands of every goat 
raiser, and its contents thoroughly familiar to him, it can not 
take the place of the journal which devotes space to the industry. 
Every day little matters of perplexity will arise and every week 
they find answer in the goat columns. The horse, cattle, sheep, 
and hog industries are represented by scores of volumes, yet no 
breeder of any one of these animals would try to succeed without 
a paper devoted to the subject; so goat raisers will do well if they 
decide at once to take a paper which is alive to their interests. 

A Few Words About Common Goats. 

While this volume does not deal with the subject of common 
goats, there are innumerable questions continually arising about 
them. No effort will be made here to answer all these questions, 
but it is deemed advisable to touch upon a few of the leading 
ones. 

There are about a million common goats in the United States, 
according to the Twelfth Census. They are widely disseminated, 
but there are very few flocks of any considerable size. Where they 
are most numerous they are not kept for any special purpose and 
no particular attention is paid to them. Like Topsy, they "just 
grow." The kids are sometimes used for meat, and are nice, and 
occasionally a doe is milked for family use. They are not raised 
in this country for their skins, as they are found not to he profit- 
able. The effort to do so has been made under very favorable 
circumstances, and the result was that the gross income averaged 
but 80 cents per head. The domestic supply of skins, therefore, 
is nothing. We depend altogether upon imports for our goatskin 
manufactures. The table herewith, from Treasury reports, shows 
that we import goatskins, morocco leather, and gloves in very large 
quantities ; 



174 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. 



QUANTITY AND VALUE OF IMPORTS OP GOATSKINS, MOROCCO SKINS, AND GLOVES 
FOR THE YEARS 1896 TO 1901. 





Goat Skins. 


Morocco 
leather. 


Gloves.* 




Quantity. 


Value. 


Value. 


Value. 


1896 


Pounds. 

38.882,234 
59,177,556 
65.546,570 
80,064,583 
69.104,372 
88,043,928 


Dollars. 

8,803,609 
13,802,504 
16,854,430 
20.992,949 
19.008,097 
25,265,670 


Dollars. 
2,808.322 
3.748,341 
2,452,655 
2,831,035 
2,940.949 
2,399,603 


Dollars. 
5,618,311 


1897 


6,337,410 


1898 


5,686,464 


1899 


5,544,871 


1900 


6 433 941 


1901 


5,060,224 





Will Sheep Destroy Brushwood. 

The statement is frequently made through the press that sheep 
will destroy brushwood just as effectually as goats, and the ques- 
tion Avhether they will or not is often asked by those who con- 
template the purchase of either goats or sheep to clear their land. 
The sheep is naturally a grazer, but it will browse a little occa- 
sionally, while the goat is naturally a browser and will graze occa- 
sionally. Sheep will not long thrive or even subsist upon a brush- 
wood diet. Neither will they completely annihilate brushwood 
as the goats do. Where goats do this an equal number of sheep 
would hardly make an impression. The sheep has its uses — and 
great they are — but the extermination of brushwood is not one of 
them. 



The Rocky Mountain Goat. 

The Eocky Mountain goat is a large strong animal, with a 
dense fleece of mohair and coarse hair, about equally divided as to 
quantity, and about equal in length. Samples which have been 
examined by the author show the mohair to be of good quality so 
far as fineness and luster are concerned, but whether it could ever 
be produced in quantity sufficient to be of any economic use is 
doubted. The goats are exceedingly rare, and it is not probable 
that they would thrive well outside their present high altitude — 
that of the higher Eocky Mountains. 

The hair is of two colors — white and black. The white would 
bring from 12 to 15 cents per pound, and the black about 5 cents, 
at the mills. It would be serviceable in the manufacture of 
carpets. 

Several writers have suggested the possibility of producing a 
stronger Angora bv crossing with the Eocky Mountain goat. The 



* Imported chiefly from Germany and France, and from other Europe in smaller 
quantities. 



ANGORA GOAT RAISING. I75 

writer is not inclined to think well of the suggestion. There is 
already too much foreign blood in our Angoras, and the future 
success of the mohair industry depends upon our ability to get 
rid of it. 




CHAPTER XV. 

MILCH GOATS. 
The Milch Goat Situation. 

Milch goats are a familiar feature of the live stock industry 
of Europe. They are especially prominent in Switzerland, Italy, 
Germany, France, and Spain, and the Island of Malta. Many 
may also be found in Egypt, Kussia, and Norway. They are, by 
their habits of life, peculiarly adapted to the needs and surround- 
ings of the peasantry, or poorer classes, of these countries. There 
is, indeed, nothing truer or apter than the homely saying that 
"the goat is the poor man's cow." This is so because milk, which 
is food and drink to all mankind, is furnished by the goat in its 
cheapest form; because its quality is superior to cow's milk for 
all purposes; and also because the proportionate yield is much 
greater than that of a cow. It is frequently said that the feed 
required for one milch cow is sufficient for eight milch goats. 

In the old countries goats hold a respectable place in the live 
stock industry. There they are not the subject of every one's 
effort at jesting, as they have always been here. The Angora goat 
industry in this country has developed to such proportions that 
it is now looked up to with dignity, even by the jesters, and is 
sharing its respectability with the milch goats. The implied slur 
at the milch goat which occurs in a published remark concerning 
a certain small breed of dairy cattle that "they might do for a 
man who is too poor to own a cow and ashamed to own a goat," 
is no longer in order. 

It is true that a milch goat is not handsome; neither is the 
best milch cow handsome. II must be confessed that it is de- 
structive in its habits and tendencies if not restrained; so also 
are cattle and hogs and chickens. Everybody knows that it is 
mischievous, oftentimes to an exasperating degree, but this same 
charge applies to your neighbor's boys as well. Eemember this, that 
the waste from the kitchen will keep a hog or two, the waste grains 
and other food about the yards will feed a few chickens, and the 
weeds and twigs and waste vegetables will, with the addition of 
onlv a small amount of hay and grain, keep a goat or two. The 



MILCH GOATS. 177 

cow must have her regular meals of a particular menu; she is not 
allowed to convert waste of any sort into meat or milk. 

There are no statistics at hand showing the number of goats 
in any of the European countries except Germany. The number 
in that empire for several years are given herewith: 

1873 2,320,000 

1883 2.641,000 

1885 2,640,994 

1892 3,091,287 

Dettweiler gives some statistics of interest with reference to 
the annual value of the goats in Germany. His estimates follow: 

Marks. 

Value of goats 50,000,000 ($11,900,000) 

Value of milk produced 150.000,000 (35,700,000) 

Value of kids slaughtered 7.500,000 (1,785.000) 

Value of goats slaughtered 6,500,000 (1,547,000) 

These statistics show that the milch goat industry of Germany 
is one of importance. The same general situation obtains in the 
other European countries mentioned. 

The milch goat situation in the United States is at the present 
time practically confined to an awakening interest. There is an 
insistent demand for information on the subject. Physicians who 
know of the healthful qualities of goat's milk are considering the 
advisability and possibility of obtaining a supply for the needs of 
their patients. People in moderate circumstances in the suburbs of 
our large cities are asking whether they can not do better by keeping 
goats. The poorer classes of these suburbs, to whom milk is a lux- 
ury, are wondering if they can not find a blessing in a milch goat. 
It is more than probable that the miners in the coal districts would 
find in the goat a profitable friend. 

The author would reel that something of value, especially in 
the way of suggestion to persons of wealth, would be lost if he 
failed to mention the work undertaken by Mrs. Edward Eoby, of 
Chicago. She is well known throughout the country, being- a 
member of the Daughters of the American devolution, Daughter 
of 1812, member of the Woman's Federation and the Woman's 
Press Clubs, and numerous other well-known patriotic organiza- 
tions. She is also the founder and president of the Ladies of the 
Grand Army of the Eepublic, and at her home is serving her 
thirteenth year as president of the Woman's South Side Study 
Club. This much is said with the reluctant consent of Mrs. Roby, 
in the hope that her work with milch goats for the benefit of the 
poorer classes will afford suggestions to others. It shows that 
any work which has for its object the benefit of these classes is 
dignified by the support of such people. 





MRS. EDWARD ROBY. 



MILCH GOATS. 179 

Mrs. Roby has been purchasing common goats which are giving 
a fair amount of milk, and has a few head which she personally 
selected on the Bermuda Islands. With these and such others as 
she ma} r be able to obtain, she proposes to do all she can toward 
the development of the American goat. As fast as she has good 
milch goats to spare she purposes selling them at low rates and 
on time, if necessary, to the heads of such households as are most 
greatly in need of them, in order that the children may be better 
nourished and be relieved from the danger of disease that lurks 
in much of the cow's milk that finds its way to such households. 
Besides, if such a family possesses a milk-giving goat, it will save 
many dollars to the owner during many months of the year, and 
the problem of obtaining a livelihood will not be so difficult of 
solution. 

It is everywhere acknowledged that the best way to help people 
who need assistance is to help them to help themselves. To intro- 
duce the milch goat into communities such as the suburbs of our 
large cities or into the coal-mining districts, will almost certainly 
work out wonderfully in economic results. German writers say 
boldly that the milch goat in its later development has done great 
service to the state, in that it supplies a want which before caused 
great unrest among the peasantry. 

The real demand for milch goats will not cease. The need 
will always be present so long as there are mothers who can not 
or who will not nurse their infants — so long as there is tubercu- 
lous cow's milk— so long as there are children that need more 
nourishing food than is supplied to them — so long as there are 
people who can afford to own a goat but not a cow. 

The Milk of the Goat. 

Its various uses. — The various uses of the milk in its natural 
state (butter, cheese, and whey not considered) are these: (1) 
Food for the poor; (2) food for the invalid; (3) food for infants; 
(4) medicine for certain diseases. 

As a rule the goat is the only useful domestic animal of the 
poorer people of Germany, especially of the day laborer, and it 
plays an important part in his household. Of necessity, it plays 
the part that the cow does in the households of the better classes. 
Says Dettweiler: "It furnishes to its owner without doubt the 
best milk for nourishing infants, for the household, for the cook- 
ing of food, and for coffee, besides butter and cheese. When one 
considers that it very often depends solelv on the milk production 
of the goat whether the nutrition of the child and the whole family 
is bad or good, and the nutrition from infancy on has a bearing on 



180 MILCH GOATS. 

the ability to a greater or a comparatively small amount of work 
in later life, then one will believe me when I say that, the goat 
is in a position to wield a great influence in sustaining life." 

Petersen, having the peasantry of Germany in mind, sums up 
the value of the goats in this wise: (1) The possibility of pro- 
curing a goat is generally within the reach of the poorest families ; 
(2) the risk and the insurance premium are disproportionately 
much less in the case of the goat; (3) the goat utilizes its food 
better than the cow, and gives considerably more milk in propor- 
tion to its body weight; (4) the goat is satisfied with little feed, 
and with feed of any sort, which is to be had at much less cost; 
(5) by keeping two goats instead of a cow, the family of the 
working man may be provided during the entire year with milk 
by the proper regulation of the time of the birth of the kid; (6) 
the goat gives a more wholesome milk than the cow and the milk 
is richer in fats." 

Hilpert, in discussing the keeping of goats from a patriotic 
and social standpoint, comments as follows: "As to the question 
of human nourishment, the goat occupies an important position. 
It yields a wholesome nourishment for the family, serves as a use- 
ful and agreeable occupation for wife and children, and awakens 
in its owner a desire for industry and a spirit of frugality. So 
long as the workingman is glad in the possession of a business, 
has a small bit of ground to call his own, and has a profitable 
domestic animal, just so long will he be an opponent of social 
strife, a careful provider for the family, and an adherent of some 
recognized creed." 

Hoffman says that in 75 per cent of the households of Ger- 
many where goats are kept they play an important role, not alone 
with the poorer classes, but with the more prosperous middle 
classes as well. 

The following from Dettweiler shows something of the use of 
goat's milk for the food of the family in Saxony: "The cattle 
owners who keep goats in addition to one or two cows, number 
13,409, with 17,439 goats. If this number be included Avith the 
one above, it is evident that with 60,974 goats owners keeping 
80,048 goats, or about 75 per cent of all the goat owners in Saxony, 
the goat plays an important role as the source of the milk of the 
household; likewise that the homes that are here under considera- 
tion belong to that class of people who are without much means. 
Especially in the industrial districts of the mountains, with a 
preponderance of the smaller manufactories, the goat is the sup- 
porter of the family — in a broad sense, of the people among which 



182 MILCH GOATS. 

it finds its manifold uses. In this way it comes about that goat's 
milk is such a universally established food material and one of 
which the people have become so fond that they will pay the same 
price (or in many places even a pfennig higher price) for it than 
for cow's milk, which latter serves to help out when there is a 
scarcity of goat's milk. The reason for this may be found in the 
higher nutritive value of goat's milk, and the assertion is often 
made here that anyone who has become accustomed to the use of 
goat's milk for coffee feels it a degradation if he is compelled to 
be content with cow's milk in its stead, which is not so good 
tasted and is poorer in fat than goat's milk. But the goat is 
beginning to rise in prominence and gain in numbers in highly 
developed, thickly settled districts where the people are more 
prosperous." 

It may have already occurred to the reader that cow's milk is 
the universal milk of mankind and is, withal, a very good product, 
and is rendered free from tubercle bacilli by boiling. The advo- 
cates of goat's milk assert that boiling transforms the casein into 
a condition in which it is very difficult of digestion. Dr. Schwartz, 
medical counsellor for Cologne, holds this opinion and says that 
"it has come about that very often the boiling of milk is dis- 
pensed with." He also states that it is very difficult to accomplish 
complete sterilization of milk. 

While discussing this feature, let us quote Eenesse: "At the 
present time the effort is made to sterilize the milk by long con- 
tinued cooking and to make it free of all germs, and for this pur- 
pose the most complicated apparatuses have been put upon the 
market. But it has been scientifically demonstrated that impor- 
tant substances are destroyed in the milk simultaneously with the 
long continued cooking, which are of great value in the feeding 
of suckling babes, especially in the development of the bony frame- 
work, and so it transpires that these so-callecl 'bottle babies' develop 
a picture of illness similar to rhachitis, in spite of the greatest 
care on the part of the parents. Furthermore, it turns out that 
the washing of the apparatus requires so much vigilance and time 
that the question of the use of it can not be entertained in the 
case of the incredulous working man who has quite a number of 
children and where the mother takes the entire care of the house." 

Goat's milk is said to be especially desirable for use in tea 
and coffee and for pastry ; and that Avhoever becomes accustomed to 
using it thus prefers it to any other kind. They like its taste and 
recognize its wholesomeness. It is recommended that, if one pur- 
poses to use goat's milk instead of that of the coav, two goats be 



MILCH GOATS. 



183 



employed, one of which should become "fresh" in the spring and 
the other in the fall. By this means a constant supply is possible, 
whereas with one animal it would not be possible. 

While we are discussing the use of this milk as food for the 
family, it will be interesting to read what was recently written to 
the American Sheep Breeder by J. R. Chisholm, of North Queens- 
land, Australia, who said : "We had a terrible season last year 
and most of us lost heavily in sheep, but the goats kept us going 
in milk all the time, and it was in that dry time I overcame my 




COMMON MILCH GOAT OF QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA. 



prejudice and ate and relished goat meat, or, as you would call 
it 'venison/ The goats served us well until the rains came. I've 
just asked my girls about the Hock, and they tell me they milk 
eighteen nannies and make four or five pounds of butter weekly 
from them and have, besides, an abundance of milk for our house- 
hold of seven and a hired man. We think of selling our cattle." 

As food for invalids the milk of the goat is almost universally 
endorsed. This is not only so because of its apparent medicinal 
qualities, which are discussed a little further along, but because of 
its high content of solids, which average a little over 14 per cent, 
and also because of its easy digestibility. This latter characteristic 
is due to the fact that the globules of goat's milk are much smaller 



184 MILCH GOATS. 

than those of cow's milk, and therefore the fat remains longer as 
an emulsion. Goat's milk creams very slowly and usually very 
unsatisfactorily, owing to the smallness of the fat globules. 

The tables of analyses given show the fat of goat's milk averages 
about 4.5 per cent. A recent writer in the Rural World says it 
would be accurate to say that goat's milk contains about twice as 
much fat as that of the average Shorthorn cow and is far superior 
to that yielded by the best Jerseys. The same writer (Sirgar) 
says: "Individual instances, though they do not, of course, prove 
the average, may be quoted to show its extraordinary richness. 
The milk of an Angora goat which was analyzed by F. S. Lloyd, 
analyst to the British Farmers' Association, contained no less than 
8.69 per cent of butter fat, and 9.85 per cent of casein and milk 
sugar, the water amounting to only 80.53 per cent; the water in 
the average cow's milk would be about 87 per cent. A crossbred 
Toggenburger and Nubian goat gave 8.11 per cent of fat, and we 
have seen no Jersey records that have reached these figures." 

This from Hilpert is direct: "That it serves as a means of 
preserving health, witness the cures with goat's milk in the moun- 
tain sanitaria, especially for pulmonary diseases." It is certainly 
the best kind of argument that whatever acts as a curative agent 
should be the very best preventive agent as well. 

A strong argument is made by Renesse for the use of goat's 
milk as a preventive of tuberculosis. In his paper he states that 
in Germany 100,000 people die annually from tuberculosis and 
the number of those who are sick with the disease is estimated at 
ten times as many; and they are, as a rule, persons in the prime 
of life. And this is not all — these tuberculous persons, through 
their long period of illness, are ever a menace to those who are 
not already infected. To counteract these conditions, Renesse 
advocates goat's milk as a curative and preventive agent. 

In connection with the consideration of goat's milk as a food 
for invalids, one should read what is said further on regarding 
the relationship of goat's milk to tuberculosis. 

The use of this milk for infants — say, babes under a year old — 
has given rise to contrary opinions. Those who have studied the 
goat's milk as a diet all agree to its beneficial results upon all who 
are old enough to have a good flow from the salivary glands, but 
some maintain that it may take the place of human milk from the 
birth of a child. For instance, Dettweiler says: "Goat's milk 
most nearly resembles woman's milk, and, on account of the ease 
with which it is digested, is attended with happy results in the 
case of the feeding of the sick and children." Hoffman says: 



MILCH GOATS. 



185 



"Goat's milk more nearly resembles mother's milk than cow's milk 
when it comes to infant feeding." He also states that in Germany 
many children take the milk direct from the udder "as the kid 
does" and thus escapes any chance of milk infection. Zurn men- 
tions the same practice and also says that goats will consent to 
suckle other young animals, such as colts and little pigs. 

"Goats should prove to he very valuable as nurses. Professor 
Magne makes note in regard to this fact in his 'Handbook of Agri- 
cultural Cattle Breeding.' Goats are good mothers and readily 
adopt infants, calves, lambs, etc. The use of goats for suckling 
infants is familiar enough (in Germany, I do not know so much 
about it). In this regard they are of great value. The goats con- 
ceive a liking for the life which they nourish, since they conduct 
themselves with extraordinary ready willingness toward the one 
who takes their milk in the matter of gratifying the whims of the 
suckling or of the person who milks them. With lambs, they will 
lie down entirely when these can not easily reach the udder, and 
with infants they will submit to being brought indoors that they 
may be placed upon the cradle (bed)." (B. R. Haddrup.) 

A contrary opinion as to the value of this milk for babes is ex- 
pressed by a few who state that the greatest objection to the use 
of goat's milk is its indigestibility, not only for the new-born but 
also for adults. The Mikh-Zeitung (vol. 25, p. 716) says: "Most 
of the authors who are assured of the complete digestibility of 
goat's milk and who recommend its use above all others base their 
opinions on results obtained from feeding children several months 
old. * * * Ought not the great richness of casein which 
goat's milk possesses, as compared with woman's milk, make the 
milk harder to digest?" This paper points out the function of 
saliva in the process of digestion, and says that, in the case of the 
new-born infant, the role of saliva is almost nothing. 

The chemist of the Philadelphia board of health has published 
two analyses of human milk, one when the glands were probably 
nearly empty and the other when full. The average of the two are 
given herewith and Hoffman's analysis of goat's milk and cow's 
milk added to the table for use in comparison. All are in per- 
centages : 



Element. 


Human. 


Goat. 


Cow. 


Albumin and casein 


1.885 
4.440 
5.850 


3.68 
4.73 
4.50 


4.00 


Fat 


3.50 




4.50 







1£6 MILCH GOATS. 

It will be noted that in the matter of albumin and casein 
human milk falls far short of the goat, and the goat shows a con- 
siderably lower percentage than the cow's milk. There is not 
much difference between the fat' content of human milk and goat's 
milk. Human milk is much richer in milk sugar than that of the 
goat. 

This phase of the subject is so important that it will bear a 
somewhat lengthy quotation from Dr. 0. G. Place, of Boulder, 
Colo., whose fields of observation have been New York City, Chi- 
cago, London, and Paris among the larger cities, and many of the 
cities of Italy, Arabia, India, China, and Japan. He says in a 
recent letter: "Anyone who will take the trouble to look up the 
data will readily see that in those countries where the goat is do- 
mesticated and its milk is used in the family there is very little 
tuberculosis, almost no scrofulous glands, and the infant mortality 
is decidedly less for those children which use the milk. 

"There is certainly no danger in infection from either the 
milk or the meat of the goat. The following table will help us to 
draw conclusions along this line. This shows the infant mortality 
in the several countries named per 1,000: 

United States, approximately 200 

England 197 

Asiatic countries (European children) 150 to 170 

Italy 134 

Norway 44 

"The Asiatic countries do not have the sanitary enlightenment 
that is boasted of in this country and in England, and yet we find 
to-day not only the death rate lower in infants, but we also find 
markedly less tuberculosis among the adults. Asia is a goat 
country. 

"Italy is a country noted for its unsanitary customs, and yet 
we find the infant mortality 66 per cent less than in our own 
country; and here, too, tuberculosis is seldom found. Italy is 
decidedly a goat country, and there the feeding bottle is scarcely 
heard of. Children that are not so fortunate as to be nursed by 
their mother find in the little Italian goat their next best friend. 
It is not an uncommon sight there to see an infant or small child 
drawing its dinner direct from the little goat, which has been 
brought onto the steps or into the house for the purpose. 

"In Norway, which is a colder climate, and where people no 
doubt live more in harmony with sanitary laws than any other 
countrv in the world, we get the low death rate of 44 per 1,000. 
Here if a mother does not have nourishment for her child, some 
other mother nurses it for her as a rule ; but where no mother is 





HORNLESS BUCK. From Hilpert. 





STARKENBURGER BUCK. From Hilpert. 



188 MILCH GOATS. 

at hand the milk of the goat is the universal food, and this is fed 
direct from the little bowl into which the goat is milked. Feeding 
bottles are unknown in this country/' 

What has been said in the preceding pages concerning the rela- 
tionship of goat's milk to health has its application in the use of 
the milk more as a preventive than as a curative agent. The use 
of the milk and also the whey as a medicine, or curative agent, are 
considered at some length in a brochure issued by C. F. Keuss 
in Leipzig in 1763. He states that in the days of Hippocrates 
the milk cure was ordered to be taught in the medical schools as 
a curative of almost all breast affections and consumption; and 
he gives a long list of old physicians who used the cure, naming 
the disease treated by each. Some of the diseases mentioned are 
arthritis, nephritis, goat, whooping cough, scurvy, jaundice, diar- 
rhea, worms, and inflammation of the liver. 

Eeuss states that these old physicians ascribed the curative 
properties of the milk to the kinds of herbs which the goats ate. 
He also says: "It is well known to the medical profession that 
the marked laxative quality and the characteristic smell of goat 
milk depends to a large extent upon the food which they get. And 
likewise it is easy to reach the conclusion that the efficacy and 
qualities of other drugs (than the laxatives) easily pass over into 
the milk. And right here also belongs the further statement that 
the goats give a rather large amount of milk, the whole spring, 
throughout the summer, and a part of the fall, to say nothing of 
the fact that the goats are much stronger and digest their food 
better than sheep do." 

So much for the milk cure as a matter of history. While milk- 
may not now be generally considered a medicine, it forms an im- 
portant part of the sick-room diet. The relationship between milk 
and medicine is very close indeed. This is especially true of the 
milk of the goat. 

Quantity. — Question: How much milk will a goat give? An- 
swer: How long is a string? With goats, as with cows, so much 
depends upon individuality, breed, feed, and care that it is not 
possible to say how much milk goats will give. We may, however, 
arrive at an approximate conclusion if we study the animal with 
the above elements in mind. 

A goat which gives less than a quart a day is not to be con- 
sidered a good milch animal ; if it yields 2 quarts it is a good ani- 
mal, provided the period of lactation (which is discussed else- 
where) is not brief. In the European countries the goats which 
yield from 3 to 5 quarts a day are numerous and the period of 
lactation is a long one. 



MILCH GOATS. 



189 



Indeed, it is stated in the German, literature on this subject 
that many goats yield ten times their body weight of milk annu- 
ally and exceptional animals as much as eighteen times their 
weight. This is very much greater than the yield of cows pro- 
portionately. On this point Petersen says: "In its form the goat 
exhibits, as it were, the complete type of a milch animal and by 
demonstration gives annually ten to sixteen times its own weight 
in milk and considerably more even, whereas, in the case of the 
cow, we must be well satisfied, with five times its weight." This 
from Zurn : "The milk reaches ordinarily ten to twelve times the 
body weight, exceptionally eighteen times this weight, in each year. 
In the case of very good goats, 4 to 5 liters 1 can be produced for 
each kilogram 2 of body weight, or, at the least estimate, double 
what a good milch cow can show for each kilogram of her weight." 

It is a good goat of any breed that will give 2 quarts of milk 
a day for seven or eight months of the year. One that will give 
more than this is specially desirable. The Angora goat, which is 
not considered a good milch animal, owing to the uncertain quan- 
tity and its covering of long hair, gives from 2 to 3 liters of very 
rich milk. The Nubian produces from 5 to 12 liters. The yield 
of the best goats of Switzerland is, on an average, about 4 liters per 
day. This amount is not produced without proper care and feed. 
To show how the yield varies, Dettweiler is quoted with reference 
to the annual yield per head of 24 goats in the vicinity of Alten- 
burg, Geising, and Lauenstein: 



9 gave 600 to 700 liters. 
7 gave 700 to 800 liters. 
4 gave 800 to 900 liters. 



1 gave 900 to 1.000 liters. 
3 gave over 1,000 liters. 



Ten animals in the city of Sebnitz were also reported upon, 
and their production annually was as here given : 



2 gave 600 to 700 liters. 

2 gave 700 to 800 liters. 

3 gave 800 to 900 liters. 



1 gave 900 to 1,000 liters. 
1 gave 1,100 to 1,200 liters. 
1 gave over 1,200 liters. 



These goats were not of any particular breed, but they had 
been bred from selected parents, as are all the goats in Germany. 
This illustrates what may be clone in our own country with the 
goats we now have if we handle them properly. 

Petersen records the statement that one Langensalzaer goat 
gave 1,800 liters in one year. He also says that this breed has 
given a maximum daily yield of 10 liters. 

Analysis. — It is not probable that any two analyses of the milk 
of any animal would agree; indeed, analyses of the milk taken at 



1 A liter is 1.0567 quarts. 

2 A kilogram is approximately 2.20 pounds. 



190 



MILCH GOATS. 



different times of the day seldom agree exactly. The ingredients 
of milk are governed, first, by the species of animal, and then by 
the kind of feed it consumes, the time of day when the milk is 
taken, and by the part of a particular milking, whether the first 
part or the last, and other minor causes. Therefore' an analysis 
of milk is only a general guide to its composition, and any varia- 
tion between analyses does not prove that either or anyone of them 
is wrong. The analyses which are here quoted from several dif- 
ferent authorities are not from individual goats, or from one milk- 
ing, but are the averages of a number of analyses and are, there- 
fore, a very good basis from which to form conclusions. 

The following is from Eenesse, and shows a comparison in 
percentages between goat's milk and cow's milk: 





Element. 


Goat. 


Cow. 


Water 


'85 50 
5.00 
4.80 
4.00 

.70 


87 25 




3 90 


Fat 


3.30 




4 60 


Ash 


.75 







We find in the Oesterreichisehes landwirthschaftliches wochen- 
blatt another comparison in percentages between the milk of the 
goat and that of the cow: 



Element. 


Goat. 


Cow. 




85.6 
.7 
3.5 
1.3 
4.6 
4.3 


87.5 








3.5 




.5 


Fat _ 


3.5 




4.3 







Professor Hoffman gives the following percentages in com- 
paring goat's milk and cow's milk: 



Element. 


Goat. 


Cow. 




86.19 

3 68 

4.73 

4.50 

.90 


87.50 




4.00 


Fat 


3.50 




4.50 


Salts 


.50 







The above three analyses are all of foreign goats. The total 
solids shown by them are, respectively, 14.50, 14.-10, and 13.81 
per cent. The two analyses of foreign cow's milk show, respect- 
ively, 12.50 and 12.50 per cent. The difference in favor of goat's 




SCHWARZENBURG-GUGGISBERGER DOE. Prom Hilpert. 




HINTERW ALDER DOE. From Dettweiler. 



192 MILCH GOATS. 

milk is one that is maintained in general in all analyses. An 
American analysis of goat's milk — one reported in 1896 by the 
chemist of the board of health of Philadelphia — shows the total 
solids to be 16.33 per cent. This indicates a very rich milk. The 
same analysis shows a percentage of 5.11 for sugar and of 5.85 
for fat. This analysis, it should be stated, is of the milk of one 
goat and in all probability does not represent the quality of the 
American goats, as a whole. Who would not wish that it were so? 

Quality. — The element of quality is shown in detail in the para- 
graphs under the head of "Analyses." This entire chapter has to 
deal with quality, but the reader is referred especially to the re- 
marks under the head of "Its various uses/' 

Period of lactation. — This is a feature which, at first glance, 
would not seem to be appropriate under the head of milk ; but the 
period of lactation is so intimately connected with the quantity 
which may be produced that it must be discussed here in order to 
best elucidate the subject. 

The period of lactation, as in the case of the quantity, depends 
almost wholly upon the individuality of the goat, its ancestry, and 
upon the feed and care which it may receive. 

Ln a general sense it may be said that the period of lactation 
is about 7 months. Many give milk 8 and 9 months, even 10, and 
some would continue throughout the year if permitted ; but it is 
not well to permit the milk to flow up to the time of the birth of 
a new kid, as it works injury both to the does and the kid. On 
this point, we quote from a correspondent of the Landwirthschaft- 
liche Zeitung: "A doe giving milk continuously during 9 to 10 
months can be made to do so during 11 months and even for the 
entire year through by generous feeding and good feed in winter." 
A goat that is compelled to find most of its food, and if such as it 
gets is not very suitable for milk production, the yield will be low 
and the duration of lactation about 3 or 4 months. 

If there is a milch goat industry built up in this country, it 
will be established to a large extent among the poorer people, who 
are unable to own and feed a cow ; and these people will have need 
of a supply of milk throughout the year. Every such family 
should have at least two goats, and matters should be so arranged 
as to have them become fresh alternately six months apart. Thus 
each doe would drop kids but once a year, and they ought to be of 
such breeding and have such feeding as would insure a constant 
supply of milk. 

Flavor. — People are inclined to believe many things that are 
not true, and one of them is that there is an inherent ill flavor in 



MILCH GOATS. 193 

the milk of the goat. Therefore, without parley, they decide that 
they have no use for either the milk or the animal. Briefly, it 
may be said that this is erroneous. However, in order to under- 
stand the matter, an explanation is necessary. If the goats are 
allowed to roam about and eat weeds and twigs and all kinds of 
vegetation at will while they are giving milk, the milk is apt to be 
strong, or of ill flavor. The tendency of the goat is to eat these 
very things at all times, and so it is but natural always to expect 
to note their influence upon the quality of the milk. On the con- 
trary, if the animal is fed properly, with the purpose in view of 
obtaining palatable milk, no ill flavor is noticed. Switzerland is 
one of the greatest of milch goat countries, and travelers there, 
always observe that the milk of the goat possesses a strong flavor. 
Bryan Hook, as well as some of the German writers, state that the 
animals there are not fed, but find it necessary to gather their 
subsistence from between the rocks on the mountain sides, where 
much of the vegetation is made up of aromatic plants. Hook 
further says: "The milk from goats fed Upon what an English 
meadow or roadside yields has no flavor to distinguish it from 
cow's milk, except, perhaps, its extra sweetness and creaminess; in 
short, it is only distinguishable by its superiority." 

Felix Hilpert, a well-known German writer on milch goats, 
says that milk with good taste may be obtained if the following 
points are scrupulously observed : ( 1 ) Good stable, dry stall, clean 
hands and bucket at milking time; (2) daily cleansing of the 
skin and washing off of the udder with warm water before milk- 
ing; (3) the feeding of wholesome, pure, and "good tasting" (not 
strong tasting) food; (4) attention to fresh air in the stall, and, 
if possible, allowing the goats to exercise in the open air. 

The Milch-Zeitung (vol. xxv., p. 699) says: "An after-taste 
of goat's milk, according to statements of veterinarians, should 
not exist, and, if any rich taste or smell should exist it must be 
traced to unclean stables or bad feed. Even cow's milk very fre- 
quently smells badly under these conditions." 

Dettweiler says: "It [the milk] possesses a singular but not 
unpleasant sharp taste, the strength of which varies with the feed- 
ing and keeping. The better the feed, the cleaner the bedding, 
the better ventilated the stall, and the more painstaking the care, 
just so much more pleasing will be the taste of the milk. The 
goatish taste is always to be attributed to the lack of attention to 
one or more of these points." 

Kloepfer says: "A scrupulous care of the skin itself is abso- 
lutely necessary even with the best conditions of bedding. If the 



194 MILCH GOATS. 

pores of the skin, which partly serve to bring air into the body 
and partly to emit exerementitous materials [such as perspira- 
tion] from it become filled with dirt and stopped up, on the one 
hand, metabolism suffers and, on the other, these materials remain 
in the body, the proper excretion of which is interfered with. Thus 
the rather unpleasant after-taste of goat milk, for the most part, 
is to be traced to the fact that the gaseous and liquid exerementi- 
tous materials can not pass from the body because of the occlusion 
of the pores of the skin and they therefore impart to the milk their 
unpleasant taste. The milk of healthy and cleanly goats has the 
same good wholesome taste that cow's milk has and excels it in the 
amount of fat and albumin contained. For these reasons it is 
imperative carefully to observe the following points: (1) To clean 
with a brush and comb the hair, first upward, then lightly down- 
ward, each day; (2) to wash the goats with soda water or soap 
suds on still sunny clays in the spring before turning them out 
to pasture and in the fall before housing them, repeating the opera- 
tion a few days later in each season. By this means all vermin is 
destroyed and many skin diseases prevented; (3) to look carefully 
after the cleanliness of the udder by washing it frequently and 
with great care and pains." 

These opinions of writers of prominence and men of experi- 
ence are given to point out the source of unpalatable milk and also 
the way it may be avoided. If a goat is fed all sorts of vegetable 
rubbish, it must not be expected to yield milk of the best flavor. 
Onions, garlic, aromatic plants, and all varieties of twigs and 
bark alone are not the best for good milk. We should not forget 
the philosophy of the old saw that "you can't make a silk purse 
out of a sow's ear." If the same sanitary practices obtain in the 
goat dairy that are now followed by the best cattle dairies there 
need be no fear of unpalatable milk. However, goat's milk has 
a characteristic taste which, it is said, is always distinguishable 
in some degree, but not so pronounced in the fresh state. This 
may be so far eradicated by good feeding, good care and cleanli- 
ness that it may be almost imperceptible. The taste can not be 
observed when the milk is used in coffee or in cooking. 

The milk of ihe goat is nearly always pure white — very seldom 
having a yellowish tinge— and it is so thick as to lead one not 
familiar with it to doubt its purity and wholesomeness. 

Odor. — Besides the flavor of the milk, which is discussed above, 
there is often a disagreeable odor. This may be clue to one or 
more of the various causes, but it is not a natural characteristic and 
therefore, as in the matter of ill flavor, may be avoided by proper 
care. Dr. M. Aiken of the London Agricultural Gazette says that 



196 MILCH GOATS. 

the slight odor which the milk sometimes possesses is not a char- 
acteristic of the milk, but is peculiar to the skin of the goat and 
is imparted to the milk externally. Zurn mentions the cause of the 
odor and tells how it may be prevented. He says: "It is admitted 
that goat's milk sometimes has the smell of the buck. Much can 
be done toward lessening this and toward its ultimate entire re- 
moval by furnishing a dry, sweet stall, bedded with lots of clean 
straw, by good care of the skin and by permitting the continuance 
as long a time as possible in the open air." 

A German agricultural paper says that in consequence of un- 
cleanliness and the lack of proper action of the skin there is a 
strong smell of a decomposition product — namely, caporic acid. 
The article continues : "With a view to the greatest possible 
diminution of the goatish smell of the milk, there are here given 
the following directions for good stable goats: (1) Short hair; 
(2) uniformity of color; and (3) goats without horns. The 
argument in favor of short hair is that the skin may be the better 
cared for. With reference to the color, it is claimed by some that 
the purer the breeds the freer they are from the disagreeable odor, 
and that a pure bred goat is of solid color. Most of the German 
writers state that goats without horns are the better milch animals. 
Why so the writer is unable to say. The paper referred to above 
intimates that goats with horns are more active, thus causing 
perspiration, and this gives rise to the ill odor. Hilpert says that 
hornless goats should give milk less strong to the taste than other 
goats, but does not give a reason for his opinion. He makes a 
point with reference to the odor of the milk, however, which breed- 
ers should note — namely, that "at times an individual character- 
istic is responsible for this, and from such animals offspring should 
not be obtained." He also says that if the goat's milk savors of 
the buck or of manure it is seldom the fault of the goat, but gen- 
erally that of the owner. 

Knowing, as we do now, the cause of the ill odor and how to 
prevent it, there is no reason why this characteristic should be 
quoted as an objection to the goat. 

Concerning tuberculosis. — The question of the milk of goats 
being the carrier of the germs of tuberculosis will be discussed 
under another head, as it is one that concerns the animal's body 
as well as the milk. 

Cost of production. — All estimates of the cost of producing 
milk are confined to German experiments. Of course, they can 
not be applied literally to the conditions in the United States, 
yet they indicate what may be expected. Dettweiler states that 
a goat which, under ordinary dairy conditions, yields 500 



MILCH GOATS. 197 

liters annually does so at a cost of 12 pfennigs 1 per 
liter. - If the yield is 600 liters the cost is reduced to 
8.3 pfennigs ; a yield of 700 liters costs 7.1 pfennigs, and 800 
liters costs 6.25 pfennigs each. He continues: "According to 
Dr. Lobe, a goat weighing 30 kilograms 2 needs a supply of hay 
weighing 1.05 kilograms, and gives on an average of 1.72 liters of 
milk at 12 pfennigs per liter; thus the goat converts 50 kilograms 
of hay, by means of the milk given, into a value of 9.80 marks; 
an evidence of the fact that the goat is a good utilizer of food. In 
the same way a cow weighing 300 kilograms, with a daily food 
supply of 10.5 kilograms, must give nearly 17 liters if she would 
utilize the food as well as the goat. Under very many circum- 
stances the keeping of two or three goats will be more profitable 
than that of one cow, for with the feed that a cow requires one 
can keep eight goats at quite an additional profit and at compara- 
tively less risk of loss." 

Description of a Good Milch Goat. 

The points of this description are those which are considered 
important in Europe. There seems to be no reason why the best 
milch goat here should not answer in all respects to the best type 
there. The goat should be hornless, short haired and of solid 
color. Long hair is an objection only as it is a nuisance at milk- 
ing time and makes the work of keeping the animal clean very 
difficult. The animal should usually present a lanky appearance, 
with broad muzzle, clean-cut head, graceful neck, deep in the 
stomach rather than broad. The chest should be broad and deep. 
The udder is hard rather than soft and fat. The size of the udder 
will depend upon the number of years the animal has given 
milk. In some of the old does, especially of the short-legged 
Maltese, the teats sometimes touch the ground. A very excellent, 
description and one full of suggestions is thai; of Hilpert and is 
given herewith : "In a good milch goat the following points are to 
be described : A long body, growing larger at the hinder parts and 
beneath, neatly rounded form, a deep and broad breast, short legs, 
broad buttocks, wide but filled out 'hungry hole' (the depression 
in front of the hip bone), a neck that is not too long nor too thick, 
a light, broad head, wide mouth and good udder. The udder 
should be of considerable size. Only those goats can give plenty 
of milk which have a bulky, well-developed milk gland ; that is, a 
large udder. But it is not always the case that a capacious udder 
signifies a high milk yield. The amount of glandular tissue in the 



1 A pfennig is one-fourth of a cent. 

2 A kilogram equals, approximately, 2.20 pounds. 



198 MILCH GOATS. 

udder can be augmented by the surrounding flesh and fat, and 
then the udder is spoken of as a fleshy or fatty udder. A large 
udder is, then, a favorable sign of an abundance of milk when it is 
a genuine udder. A fatty udder feels soft and full; its skin is 
generally somewhat thicker, sparsely covered with long, coarse 
hair ; does not wrinkle after milking and diminishes only slightly 
in circumference. A genuine milk udder feels tight and as having 
kernels in its upper portion ; its skin is thin and tender, covered 
with short, fine hair, and forms very perceptible folds and wrinkles, 
which fall together after the milking is done, if the condition of 
the udder is not too tense. Moreover, the blood vessels course along 
very noticeably on account of the thin skin when the udder is 
filled — a condition not present in the case of a fatty udder. A good 
milch goat should have a fine, thin skin, which is best examined 
over the ribs, and it should be covered with fine (not bristly), 
smooth, glistening hair. That the absence of horns possesses an 
alleged influence in making the milk mild in taste has been spoken 
of before. When all these characteristics coincide it is certain 
that one is dealing with a good milch goat." 

In the matter of selection one should buy only well-bred stock. 
Goats designed for breeding should be descended only from such 
animals as gave an abundance of milk. In this connection it is 
well to remember that the milk yield is a quality which is inherited 
not only through the mother goat, but through the buck also, and 
handed down to the young. If both the males and females be 
descended from milch-giving animals, then it is of the utmost 
probability that the offspring will be blest with an abundance of 
milk later on. 

An American Mich Goat Suggested. 

Having in view the great difficulty that will be encountered in 
efforts to import foreign breeds of milch goats, it occurs to the 
writer that the people of the United States who are interested 
in the question may find it necessary to develop a strain of milch 
goats from the stock already available. Everybody calls this stock 
"common goats," as, indeed, they are. Mrs. Eoby has patriotically 
suggested that the term "common goats" be discontinued and 
"American goats" be substituted. But a change in name will not 
change the animal, and it will still remain a common animal, not 
only in the United States, but everywhere. Let us, rather, adopt 
a further suggestion of Mrs. Eoby and by the use of our common 
goats as foundation stock develop an animal that shall produce a 
good quality of milk ; and, so soon as some breeding characteristics 
are fixed, call the new animal the "American goat." 




MALTESE GOAT. Raised in Tunis. 




NUBIAN GOAT. Photo by Wm. G de Ooligny 



200 MILCH GOATS. 

Such an outcome is not an impossibility by any means. En- 
glish breeders soon learned that the purebred milch goats from the 
continent and the Island of Malta would not thrive in their cli- 
mate ; so they began crossing with their common goats, with the 
result that they now have a very good milch animal which they 
name the English milch goat. In our own country Daniel F. 
Tompkins of Jersey City, N. J., has met with very good success 
in efforts to develop such an animal as suggested here. Mrs. Eoby, 
who has already been mentioned, is making efforts without regard 
to cost in the same direction. 

Breeding and Kidding. 

Milch goats as a rule are very prolific animals. They seldom 
drop fewer than two kids, and some breeds drop as many as four 
at a time. The Nubian, one of the best milch goats known, has 
had as many as eleven kids in a year. It is well known that An- 
gora goats will breed but once a year, but other goats breed very 
soon after kidding; and, as the period of gestation is only from 
155 to 157 days, their increase may be quite rapid. 

Tlie bitch. — First, the buck should be from a milk strain and 
himself have the characteristics of a milch animal. He should 
have a pedigree showing ancestors of milk propensities ; even then, 
if upon trial he fails to transmit the milk characteristics, he should 
be dispensed with. He should be killed for the good of the indus- 
try. 

The Question of Feeding. 

The thought will no doubt come to many people at once that 
the best and cheapest manner to feed milch goats is to turn them 
upon brushwood and Aveeds, where they can feed as Angoras do. 
While this will prove to be a feed very much relished by the goaf 
and at the same time prove an effective means of destroying the 
brush and weeds, it will be observed that the milk supply will dimin- 
ish in quantity and the palatability will be greatly affected. Such a 
location will not answer for a goat dairy. The goat is a single- 
purpose animal ; she can not produce good milk and destroy brush 
and weeds at the same time. She must be regarded as a milk- 
producing machine and feci such things and in such manner as will 
enable her to do the best at the pail. 

In a general way it may be stated that eight goats can subsist 
and yield a good flow of milk upon the amount of feed that is 
required for one cow. It is proved by experiments in Europe that 
the goat makes much better use of its feed in producing milk than 



MILCH GOATS. 201 

does a cow. Considering its proportionate weight, the goat is the 
greatest milk producer of all domestic animals. 

Some writers state that the average amount of hay required 
annually for a milch goat is about 300 pounds ; but in an examina- 
tion of experiments where large milk production was the object 
in view it is shown that some goats will consume as much as 700 
pounds. Let us be generous and allow our goats 500 pounds to 
eat ; if we are not careful we shall waste that much or more and 
charge it against the goat. For the milch goat hay is indispensable, 
winter and summer. Without hay goat keeping is scarcely possi- 
ble, because it can not be displaced by any other food. Of course, an 
abundance of dry fodders will answer the same purposes as the 
hay. Kioepfer says: "From my experiments, which I have con- 
ducted in the past two years upon my experimental animals, one 
must figure on at least 3 cwt. of hay yearly for each mature animal. 
If one can obtain more of course it is so much the better. As a 
means of saving the hay it is suggested that it be cut up and fed 
in a narrow rack and mixed with straw. By this means the animals 
will be prevented from tramping the feed under foot. It is best 
in the morning to feed half of the clay's ration of hay, mixed with 
equal amount of straw, and after this to give water which in 
severe weather has been allowed to stand in a warm room or in the 
kitchen. The offal from the kitchen serves as the usual noon meal, 
which should be given not with, but without, a large amount of 
liquid." 

Good hay, especially clover hay, exercises a stimulating influ- 
ence upon the digestive organs and serves as an active element in 
the production of milk. Fresh hay, which has not yet undergone the 
sweat, is difficult of digestion and easily induces bloating. Old, 
dusty hay which has lain more than a year is tasteless and pro- 
vokes shortness of breath. The best food for goats is found in the 
pasture "where nature has spread the table"; but before they go 
out and after they return from the pasture hay should be given 
them. 

Bran is an excellent feed; its use will depend upon its cost. 
The daily ration may vary between one-half and three-quarters of 
a pound. Dampen the bran with a little salt water. The morn- 
ing and evening portions may contain the solid materials from the 
kitchen slops, such as potatoes, carrots, turnips and bread crusts. 
Malt is recommended where it can be had regularly and at rea- 
sonable cost. It is an excellent milk-producing feed. It should 
not be fed when sour. Dry malt (which has been preserved for a 
vear) is also sood for milk. 



202 MILCH GOATS. 

Oats and barley are good. Green oats are especially good for 
kids at weaning time. 

Linseed cake meal may be fed in amount from 50 to 75 grams 
daily as an auxiliary feed. Its influence upon digestion and nour- 
ishment is excellent. Kloepfer says: "It is absolutely invaluable 
before delivery. When, on account of its digestibility and ready 
assimilation, it is a prophylactic against milk fever." A breeder 
of many years' experience declares that out of 100 cases of milk 
fever, 50 of which used to be fatal, now his herd is almost free 
from it because of feeding with linseed cake. This precautionary 
method is so simple and reasonable in price that all ought to be 
able to employ it. If, by reason of drouth, soiling is necessary, 
leaves, vegetable refuse, peelings of the apple or potato, bread 
crusts or stale bread, if they are sweet and clean, will be all the 
feed that is needed. All goats, however, will not eat the same 
food, and the feeder will have to study the appetites of the indi- 
vidual animal. Frequent feeding and a variety of food in winter 
will be found beneficial. 

Fencing and Housing. 

The fences and houses required for milch goats are very much 
the same as those required for dairy cattle. While the goat does 
not jump, except when trained to do so, it will climb and creep 
just where one would not expect it. Goats should not be tempted 
with a poor fence or one that offers any opportunity for climbing. 
If such opportunities are offered, the garden, shrubbery, and fruit 
trees are sure to suffer in consequence. 

The plan of a very convenient house is shown in Hook's 
excellent little English work, "Milch Goats and Their Manage- 
ment." The stalls are very convenient; the rack above for the 
hay is easily accessible to the animal, and yet permits of no waste ; 
the slatted floor favors cleanliness ; if for any reason the goat 
should not be tied — at the lime of kidding, for instance — the box 
stalls are available; a loft immediately over the stalls holds the 
forage, which may be fed directly to the rack below; a hopper is 
provided for grain or soft feed. Any goat house should be ventilat- 
ed, for goats must have an abundance of fresh air. 

A goat house must be comfortable in winter, as all short-haired 
breeds suffer much from the cold. It must not leak rain at any 
time. 

There should be a yard in connection with the goat house where 
animals may exercise on warm days in winter season. 



204 MILCH GOATS 

Tlie Operation of Milking. 

The act of milking by the milk vender in European countries 
and also in our insular possessions is usually done on the street at 
all hours of the morning or evening. The vendor drives his goats 
from door to door, and at each one draws the amount of milk de- 
sired. The better way, as our own people will at once recognize, 
is to have a place near the goat house for milking, just as we have 
an established place for milking the cow. Under no circumstances 
should milking be done in the stalls or in that part of the house 
where the stalls are located. The act of milking is done from the 
rear, as is shown in the illustration of the Maltese goat. 

All authorities agree that goats should be milked three times 
a day. This must be done regularly as to days and hours, if the 
goat is to be kept in milk — "in profit," as they say in England. 
This is an important point; a disregard of it is apt to render 
futile all other efforts in the way of breeding, feeding, and care. 

Kindness and gentleness is now a recognized necessity in the 
best cattle dairies. These characteristics are even more necessary 
with goats. On this point Yon L. Albrect is quoted : "Milch 
goats will be particularly gentle and of kind disposition when 
handled and cared for, so far as possible, by the same person. To 
this end the milking must be clone with regard to gentleness and 
regularity, and with the closed hand so far as possible. The strokes 
and tugs must be performed with care. The milking is done best 
by a stroke directed from above downward."' 

Some excellent advice is given by Eenesse as f ollows : "Before 
beginning to milk the two teats are to be washed off with luke- 
warm water and then dried off with a soft cloth, also the udder is 
to be stripped a few times from above downward. It is advisable 
that the animal be milked by one and the same individual with 
clean hands at regular and definite times. The milk pail is to be 
entirely sweet and clean. Milking must not be clone in the stall. 
Tuberculous persons must not be allowed either to expectorate in 
the stable or, much less, to milk. That the milk may not depre- 
ciate in taste it should be put away in a suitable place. A state- 
ment of the amount of milk given daily should be kept in a book 
by dates, in liters, in order to have an accurate account as to the 
profit." 

niilcli Goat Dairies. 

Since there is almost universal indorsement of goat's milk for 
infants and invalids, and since the cost of keeping is so much less 
than the keeping of cows, it would seem that a goat dairy would 
prove a success, especially if it is in proximity to the large cities. 



MILCH GOATS. 205 

Instances are known where the milk has been sold in limited 
quantities at prices ranging from 12^2 cents to 25 cents a pint. It 
may not be that such prices would be maintained, but there can not 
be a doubt that a much better price could be obtained than can be 
had for cow's milk. 

After a milch goat industry shall have been established in this 
country other matters in connection with it will arise for attention. 
The matter of condensed milk will be one of the first. Thousands 
of infants are now compelled to live during their first few months 
on condensed milk of cows, and it is not the best food for some 
stomachs. 

Tlie Cheese. 

The cheese that is made from goat's milk is considered very 
choice and always brings good prices. Some of the varieties quite 
well known in the United States are the Roquefort, Rieotto, 
Schweitzer and Altenburger. It is stated that on an estate near 
Lyons, France, 12,000 goats are kept in flocks of 40 to 60 for the 
purpose of cheese manufacture. 

The goat cheese made in the vicinity of Mount d'Or enjoys a 
worldwide demand, and there are employed at this place about 
15,000 goats. We are informed that the annual production of 
cheese there is valued at 1,500,000 francs -($289,500). The 
French goat cheeses worthy of special mention are Fromage de St. 
Marcellin, St. Claude, Cheveretin, Gratairon. The first one is a 
combination of the milk of the goat and the sheep. 

The strong taste and odor of goat cheese are qualities very 
pleasing to many. In Norway a goat cheese called Hoitcost is 
quite a favorite. On this account the French as well as the Ger- 
man, especially the Dutch and Swiss, dairymen have been in the 
habit of making cheese of an especially pronounced odor and 
flavor, and, in pursuit of this habit, some of them have used the 
milk of the goat in part with that of the sheep and the cow in 
the making of cheese. But while in some instances the milk of 
the sheep is used wholly as the basis of a special kind of cheese, 
that of the goat is only used when mixed with the ewe's or cow's 
milk, simply for the purpose of securing the special flavor of it. 
And as the special kinds of cheese thus made find a market in 
our large cities to considerable extent, it is quite probable that 
the making of this kind of cheese may become an established and 
quite profitable industry. And, in fact, in view of the great 
enterprise and engenuity of the American citizen in all the busi- 
ness of life, it may easily become so to an enlarged extent when 
goat's milk cheese shall be offered in our markets. 



206 MILCH GOATS. 

With reference to the manufacture of goat's cheese, Kenesse 
gives the following: "The milk is treated in a kettle, warmed to 
25° to 26° K., and, while being stirred evenly, is brought to coagu- 
lation by the addition of rennet. By this means the socalled curd 
is separated out of the whey. The curd is then manipulated with 
a strainer and the whey allowed to run off. When the curd after 
several hours has become dry, salt and caraway seed are intimately 
mixed with it and it is made into small cheeses. These little 
cheeses are to be placed on racks in the cellar to dry and are 
turned daily. After about fourteen days they are ripe and ready 
for use. The cheese takes on an especially fine taste and sweet 
odor if, after a long period of ripening, it be laid in the dried 
leaves of the sweet-scented woodroof. As a rule, 1 kilogram 
of cheese can be obtained from 10 liters of milk." 

Tlie Butter. 

There is nothing about goat's milk to recommend it for butter 
making, although in those countries where milch goats are com- 
mon it is made frequently, but not extensively. 

There are several reasons why it is not satisfactory, and these 
will be mentioned here, but not discussed to any extent. Goat's 
milk is very slow to cream, a condition due to the fact that the 
fat globules are very small and consequently held much longer in 
emulsion. Owing to this condition the ordinary method of sep- 
arating the cream by skimming after the milk has been set is not 
successful, as only a portion of the cream will have separated in 
the time allowed. According to Zurn, 50 kilograms of milk, when 
skimmed in the ordinary way, yield only 1.5 to 2 kilograms of 
butter. 

Good goat's butter is usually white, rarely of a yellowish tinge, 
tastes sweet, and is very fat; because of the last characteristic it is 
softer than cow's butter. If it is used in its fresh state the taste 
is pleasant, particularly if it is freed by much washing of the 
peculiar taste which ordinarily clings to it, but which in a degree 
is pleasant to some. This taste returns again, however, if the but- 
ter is set aside for several days. Goat's butter becomes rancid 
very soon and very easily. It can be used as cooking butter only in 
a fresh state. 

The Milch-Zeitung (TS93, p. 756) published an analysis of 
goat's butter, which is reproduced here : 

Per cent. 

Water 8.2 

Fat 86. 5 

Salts and ash 3.7 

Proteids 0.9 

Carbohydrates 0.7 

100 




SAANEN BUCK. From Wilsdorf. 



... . . .._ .. 



mm,^ 



K .* 



V 



<mJ 




SAANEN DOE. From Wilsdorf. 



208 MILCH GOATS. 

The low content of water is especially noticeable, being but 8.2 
per cent. Cow's butter of good quality carries as much as 12 
per cent. 

Tlie Wliey. 

Goat's whey is highly recommended by foreign authorities on 
account of its medicinal and nourishing properties. This para- 
graph will deal wholly with their opinions. Zurn says: "Goat 
whey is used for medicinal purposes and is recommended especially 
for diseases of the lungs for those suffering from bronchial catarrh, 
for weak anemic persons suffering from innutrition, and also for 
weak consumptives. The whey is easily, quickly, and completely 
separated from the milk." The same author publishes the follow- 
ing approximate analysis of the whey: 

Per cent. 

Fat 0. 02 

Sugar 4.969 

Salts 0.665 

Albumin 0.581 

Water 93.765 

100 

The composition of the ash is as follows: 

Per cent. 

Potassium 44.58 

Sodium ?'18 

Calcium 5.99 

Magnesium 2-48 

Phosphoric acid ■ 13.78 

Sulphuric acid 2.42 

Chlorine 30.41 

The whey has a laxative effect on most people, a fact easy of 
explanation when the composition of the ash is considered. Zurn 
says : "The abundant amount of acid phosphate of calcium, which 
is presented in easily assimilable form in goat whey, has the power 
to influence favorably the upbuilding of the bony structures ; the 
amount of potassium present, the activity of the blood and circu- 
lation, especially the heart. By means of its sugar the whey 
supplies carbohydrates in composition easily to be assimilated and 
which serves as a means of strengthening the respiratory activity. 
The amount of Avater contained in whey has the power to assist 
in carrying off the non-assimilable materials which are present, 
especially in the blood of those who are ill." 

The consideration of whey will close with the following sum- 
mary of its benefits, as given by Dr. H. May, physician and director 
of the royal sanitarium at Kreuth, Germany : "It is my opinion 
that the whey is of advantage in consumption because the sugar 
which it contains checks the albuminous and tissue waste and its 
salts compensate for the loss of inorganic matter as the result of 
increased bronchial and mucous secretion. The tests of the physio- 



MILCH GOATS. 209 

logical and therapeutic value of the whey brings us to the con- 
clusion that it is a valuable nourishment and healing agent which 
can take the place of other means of cure and we have no ground to 
fear that all the whey-cure institutes will be transformed into 
milk-cure institutes. While it is not possible to draw a hard 
and fast line of difference to say how many of the results we see 
in the whey-cure institutes are to be credited to the. account of the 
whey and how many to other agents, especially climatic conditions, 
I learn from the history of my cases that I can attribute them in 
very great part to the healthy therapeutic action of the whey. 

"When we gather together the conclusions of what has been 
said they are these : ( 1 ) The salts of the milk and milk sugar are 
largely responsible for the physiological and therapeutic value of 
the whey. 

"(2) The sugar limits by its disintegration the further breaking 
up of the glycogen fats and albumin in the body and serves in 
this way for the maintenance of the body aright and puts the body 
in shape to take on more fat. 

"(3) The principal value of the sugar for our bodies is seen 
best in emaciated people when the possibility of keeping up nour- 
ishment is lessened and the life of the cells is hindered. Here the 
sugar acts similar to alcohol as a maintainer of strength. 

"(4) Though it is not absolutely essential to have a surplus 
of salts in case of a sound, healthy body, it is very often that the 
presence of these salts acts to dispel pathological conditions in a 
remarkable degree when the body is sick. 

"(5) This is especially the case in fever, in suppuration, ex- 
udates, continuing catarrhal secretions, profuse expectorations, etc. 

"(6) Besides this compensating influence, the salts of whey 
exercise in the body a diuretic action and serve as a mild laxa- 
tive. 

"(7) A specific action of whey in the diseases of the respiratory 
organs is not worth while to mention when we know its physio- 
logical and therapeutic action. 

"(8) Whey contains by careful preparations no lactic acids; 
its milk sugar is not transformed into lactic acid in the intes- 
tines. 

"(9) From the irritation caused in these organs by the action 
of lactic acid we can see how valuable the elements of whej (salts 
of sugar) are, inasmuch as they are absorbed unchanged. 

"(10) Whey is a valuable means of nourishment and healing, 
which can be substituted and placed by the side of all the other 
means of cure. 



210 MILCH GOATS. 

"(11) For the transformation of all the whey institutes into 
milk institutes we are not ready for the reasons cited/' 

Immunity from Tuberculosis. 

Whether or not goats are immune from tuberculosis (or con- 
sumption, or phthisis) is a question of the greatest importance, 
since those who advocate the keeping of goats for milk lay much 
stress upon the healthful qualities of the milk, especially in its 
relation to tuberculosis. If it were true, as is often stated, that 
goats are never affected with tuberculosis, they would no doubt be 
regarded as the most valuable of the animal kingdom to mankind. 
This would be the case because milk is the first food of man, and 
he is dependent, to a large degree, upon it throughout life; and 
we are assured by the medical fraternity that the dread disease of 
tuberculosis is transmitted more often and more readily by cow's 
milk than by any other cause. Hence, if there were a domestic 
animal which would prove to be absolutely immune from this dis- 
ease it would be one of the greatest boons to humanity. However, 
the goat is not entirely immune, as we shall see from the testimony 
of several who are thoroughly informed on this matter; but it 
may be safely said that it is practically immune from tuberculosis 
and that a very few goats only are affected. 

The subject of milch goats is a new one to the United States and 
our people, who always desire the opinions of men of experience, 
demand the fullest information before formulating their judgment. 
For this reason the opinions of scientific men and others in 
Europe are quoted here in reference to the goat and its relation to 
tuberculosis. Hook says: "Undoubtedly the most important of 
all the qualities of goat's milk, especially in its relation to its 
adaptability to the feeding of infants, is its immunity from the 
danger of carrying the germs of tubercular disease." 

A writer who signed himself "Sirgar" to a recent article in 
the Eural World, a person who writes with such force as to exhibit 
an acquaintance with goats, says: "I have seen this statement 
questioned — I do not know by what authority — but some years ago 
the British Medical Journal boldly declared that goat's milk is 
not liable to tuberculous infection; and in support of the state- 
ment quoted the greatest living authority on bacteriology, the 
well-known Professor Nocard, whose researches have proved so 
valuable in many directions to the stock keeper. Professor Nocard 
states that 'out of over 130,000 goats and kids that have been 
brought to Paris for slaughter at the shambles of La Villette every 
vear, the meat inspectors have failed to discover a single case of 
phthisis.' This testimony should be sufficient to decide the ques- 



MILCH GOATS. 211 

tion and its value would be little disturbed by the discovery, if it 
were made, that the goat is not immune. For all practical purposes 
the animal, when kept under healthy conditions, is free from the 
dreadful disease from which very few [cattle] herds in the coun- 
try can claim to be exempt." 

A German agricultural paper indorses goat's milk because of 
its "anti-tubercular properties, insuring a pure milk yield"; and 
the paper continues: "Since Lobe, Rhode, and others ascribed to 
goats an almost total immunity from tuberculosis, Koch makes 
the statement, in his first study concerning tuberculosis due to 
infection of cow's milk, that recently there are well-authenticated 
cases recognized in the literature due to inoculation by cow tuber- 
cles or in consequence of rearing goats on tuberculous cow's 
milk." 

Hilpert says that since the goat is much more healthy than the 
cow and sheep, tuberculosis (which can be transmitted from them 
to man) attacks it ver}< rarefy, and so its milk is very much better 
and is especially adapted to children. Dr. A. von Eenesse says, 
with reference to the milk of the goat, there need be no "fear as 
to the transmission of tuberculosis." Dr. Schwartz, medical coun- 
sellor from Cologne, in an address at Frankfurt (1896) before the 
Association of German Naturalists and Physicians, directed the 
attention of the convention toward goat milk as a food for children 
because goats rarely have a tendency to tuberculosis, and even 
when they have it they become infected by coming in contact with 
tuberculous cattle. 

A few references follow to show to what extent one may expect 
to find tuberculosis in the goat. The first is from Herr Hoffman, 
professor of animal breeding at the Royal Veterinary High School, 
Stuttgart, Germany (1898), who says: "While the statement is 
not entirely true that goats are absolutely immune from tuber- 
culosis, yet, of 1,500 goats publicly slaughtered in one year only 
0.6 per cent were affected. This bears no comparison to the 
prevalence of tuberculosis among cattle. For example, in the 
slaughter house at Kiel, Germany, in 1896, 4-1.03 per cent of all 
slaughtered cattle and 45.82 per cent of all coavs were found to be 
tuberculous." 

This from Dettweiler: "In the kingdom of Saxony, according 
to a report concerning veterinary affairs for the year 1894, it is 
stated that out of 1,5.62 goats slaughtered only 10 (0.64 per cent) 
were found to be tuberculous, of which 2 were destroyed, 1 was 
kept under observation and 7 were found salable. In Prussia 
in 1899, in 381 slaughter houses 47,705 goats were killed. Of this 
number only 148 head (0.41 per cent) were infected, either gen- 



212 MILCH GOATS. 

erally or locally. This result must be the more astonishing be- 
cause the goats, with only a few exceptions, were kept under con- 
ditions eminently favorable to the spread of tuberculosis. Peter- 
sen, quoting these same figures, says that the goats ran freely in the 
cattle sheds, ate out of the racks with tuberculous cows, and, owing 
to their well-known proclivities for mischief, took hay out of the 
mouths of the cattle, whereby they exposed themselves to the 
greatest possible infection. Hoffman continued as follows: 
* * * "Of 4J4G goats slaughtered [in Saxony] in 1899, only 
25 were found tuberculous. Of these 3 were destroyed and 22 
passed inspection — that is, were salable." 

The opinion now quoted from the Deutsch Landwirthschaftliche 
Presse (vol. xx, p. 833) is on the other side of the question: 
"Assistant Eichhorn informs us as follows in 'Report of Veter- 
inary Science in Imperial Saxony/ concerning the appearance of 
tuberculosis in goats: 'There was a goat (in a large herd of 28 
head) which had been brought for treatment and which, after its 
death, which soon followed, was found to be tuberculous to a high 
degree. This made it imperative to inoculate the' entire remaining 
27 head with tuberculin. In 18 of these, in consequence of the 
inoculation, a rise in temperature occurred of 1° to 2.5° C, and 
only in 9 did the increased temperature amount to less than 1° C. 
(0.6° to 0.9° C). Because of this result 68 per cent of all the 
goats had to be retained on suspicion of being tuberculous, and 
only 32 per cent were to be looked upon as probably free of tuber- 
culosis. The owner could only make up his mind to have 3 
slaughtered, of which 2 were suspected of being tuberculous and 1 
was probably free of the disease; the result justifying the con- 
clusion that the diagnosis was correct. This shows how necessary 
a greater degree of care is in the use of goat's milk as food in the 
milk cure.' " 

To discuss the tuberculosis question is a delicate matter and 
one which only the medical man and the scientist would dare to 
venture upon. The writer must be content with a presentation of 
the views of others who have made the question a study. There 
are, however, some conclusions which may be drawn from the 
quotations given above — namely, (1) goats will contract tubercu- 
losis; (2) they do so with some difficulty, thus showing that they 
are what may be termed highly resistant to the disease; (3) they 
are not likely to contract the disease if in good health and ordinary 
methods are employed to prevent exposure. 



MILCH GOATS. 213 

Diseases of Milcli Goats. 

Milch goats are subject to the same diseases as the Angora breed. 
The reader is therefore referred to the chapter on the diseases of the 
Angora goat for information on this subject. 

Some of the Breeds. 

There are a great many different breeds of milch goats. The 
number is augmented by many cross breeds. It would subserve 
no useful purpose to give an account of all these here, or of even a 
considerable number of them. We shall be content with some 
general remarks about a few breeds that have received in their 
native home land high commendation as milch animals. 

The Malta goat. — It is probable that in no country has the rais- 
ing of fine milch goats been brought to such a degree of perfection 
as in the Island of Malta. The population of this island is about 
200,000 and the people there rely almost wholly upon the goat. 
The number of goats there is very large, but no one seems to know 
just how many. There are various estimates ranging all the way 
from 12,000 to 30,000. They wander about in small flocks. David 
Gr. Fairchild, to whose courtesy the author is indebted for the 
Malta pictures, notes that they feed largely on scraps of all kinds, 
such as they can pick up on the streets. It is not strange that 
this method of subsistence gives to the milk a strong, unpleasant 
flavor, and on this account the English contingent prefer con- 
densed milk from England and the United States. There are no 
regular grazing fields for goats, such as are known in the United 
States, but every morning the flocks are driven out along the roads 
and uninclosed plots along the sides of the hills, where the goats 
pick up whatever they can find in the way of weeds, but there is 
seldom any sort of grass. Sometimes they get the leaves from the 
maize and the prickly pear. At night, when they are driven back 
to shelter, their day's feeding is supplemented by the carob bean. 
The proper winter food for these goats is the chick pea, broad bean, 
and sulla, all of which are grown all over the island. How these 
animals can give so much milk upon such feed as they get is a 
matter of frequent remark by foreigners who visit Malta. 

The amount of milk produced varies, of course, with the ani- 
mal and with the period of lactation. Hon. John H. Grout, U. S. 
Consul at Malta, says an average goat produces 44- pints of milk 
per day, and sometimes as much as 5 pints. Fairchild's informa- 
tion is that the average yield is between 3 and 4 quarts a day. 
Often the owner has an income of 16 cents a day from a single 
goat. 

The Maltese goats are about 2 feet 6 inches in height, while 



214 MILCH GOATS. 

they will often weight 100 pounds. They are usually hornless, 
and many that grow horns are dehorned. The predominant color 
is white, although there are many of other colors — red, brown, and 
black. The ears are moderately long, and horizontal. The ud- 
ders are very large, oftentimes nearly touching the ground when 
the animal stands. It is said that the milk characteristic of the 
breed has been so perfectly developed that nearly every doe kid 
becomes a good milker. There are two varieties of Maltese goats — 
the long haired and the short haired. The hair of the former is 
often 4 to 5 inches long. 

The prices of good Maltese milkers range between $10 and 
$25. 

They have been imported into England out have not thrived 
there. In Malta it is asserted that they never do well when ex- 
ported. There is no record of any importations into the United 
States. 

The Toggenburger goat. — This breed is from the Toggenburg 
valley of Switzerland, a district forming a considerable portion of 
the Canton St. Gallen, in the northeast section of the republic. 
It is of the hornless type, though occasionally one is found with 
horns; the hair is medium long, and usually solid fawn color, 
but sometimes dark-brown mottled. The average weight of this 
animal is about 121 pounds. The Toggenburger has a somewhat 
slender hody, and, except as to its larger size, very much resembles 
the Appenzeller, which comes from the same section of country 
and is sometimes considered by some not well informed to be of 
the same breed. Hook says: "The general appearance of the 
Toggenburger is attractive ; the color is a peculiar shade of brown, 
or mouse, color, and with white marking distributed with perfect 
regularity. The legs below the knees and hocks should be white, 
and a white streak runs down either side of the face and round 
the ears. The head is without horns ; the ears are pricked and of 
moderate size, as is the case with all the Swiss varieties, and the 
face bears a remarkably intelligent, gentle expression." 

Professor Anderegg, who was secretary of the Swiss Agricul- 
tural Society, in a monograph upon Swiss goats, speaks of the 
Toggenburger as one of the most valuable of Swiss goats. He 
also says that she is easily acclimatized, and will thrive as well in 
the stable as on the hills. Hook also says of this breed in Eng- 
land: ''The Toggenburger goat is, in my opinion, by far the 
most valuable and the best suited to our climate of all the pure 
breeds that have been introduced into this country, and, having 
now become fairly common and well established Avith us, is the 
breed I should unhesitatingly commend to the attention of goat 




SWISS MILCH GOAT. (Toggenberg Breed.) 
Photo by Will C. Clos. 



216 MILCH GOATS. 

keepers." This animal is always somewhat lean and bony looking 
when giving milk, as it seems to throw all the strength of its 
constitution into the production of milk. 

Anderegg says the daily milk product of this breed is about 
4 1 liters. This must be regarded as a very heavy yield. 

The president of the British Goat Society is quoted as authority 
for the statement that a Toggenburger in England yielded a frac- 
tion less than a gallon per clay. Although not equal to 4 liters, 
it is probably more than the average daily product of a year. 

In discussing this breed, Hook points out an important feature 
which, in the opinion of this writer, is applicable to all breeds, 
namely, that the high position occupied by the Toggenburgers as 
milk producers has been attained by the careful selection of indi- 
viduals for breeding, and from their offspring, preserving those 
onby for breeding which have proved themselves to be good milkers. 
This method of practice will certainly lead to definite results if 
intelligent selection is made. It may be surmised, therefore, as 
has been stated in discussing the Saanen breed, that there are in 
Switzerland many Toggenburgers which are useless as milch goats. 
So, while it may be true that this breed has been so handled as to 
possess more definite or fixed characteristics than other breeds, 
it is by no means certain that any Toggenburger doe will prove 
herself to be a good milker. 

There are very few goats of this breed in the United States ; 
indeed, there is but one record of importation. On July 12, 1893, 
W. A. Shafor, of Hamilton, Ohio, now secretary of the American 
Oxford Down Eecord Association, imported through the port of 
New York 4 head of Toggenburgers. These were located on a 
farm in Indiana. From correspondence with Mr. Shafor, it is 
evident that there has been some difficulty in acclimating them, 
for as late as in 1898 he wrote that the purebred stock had reached 
the number of 7 only. Half-bloods and three-quarter-bloods had 
proved themselves, like the pure breeds, to be good milkers. This 
fact tends to confirm the statement of Hook that "they have a 
remarkable power of transmitting their characteristics to their 
offspring, many half-bred animals showing all the distinguishing 
peculiarities of the race." 

The Saanen goal. — The Saanen breed of goats, according to 
Dettweiler, takes its name from the Saanen valley in Switzerland, 
but it is quite commonly kept also in the upper Simmen valley 
of the same country. The pure Saanen goat is rather large, of 
dainty white color, and is hornless. The neck is proportionately 
long, shapely, and not very heavy; breast well developed; udder 

1 A liter equals 1.05G7 quarts. 



MILCH GOATS. 217 

very pretty, as a rule; milk production is plentiful under good 
food, averaging 4 quarts per day. Wilsdorf says the milk of this 
breed is, like that of most breeds, pure white (in rare cases a 
yellowish white), and somewhat thick in consistency as compared 
with the milk of the farm, or native, goats of Saxony, and that it 
is characterized by a positive pleasant taste. 

The statement of the milk production is upon the authority 
of Anderegg, but Dettweiler says that, so far as he is able to form 
an opinion from his own observation, the quantity is too large for 
the breed taken as a whole. 'Anderegg was writing of the Saanen 
goats in Switzerland, and Dettweiler acknowledges that in all 
goats in Switzerland the production of milk is noticeably higher 
than in Saxony, "where no one bothers himself about the goat." 

Petersen says concerning this breed: "The quantity of milk 
given when the animal is fresh is stated at 3 to 4 liters, increased 
in isolated cases to 5 or 6 liters ; and it is also true that in other 
cases it remains under 3 liters. The average daily quantity for 
a lactation period of 9 to 10 months is estimated as a rule at 2 
liters or a little over; so that the annual production runs about 
600 liters. 

Germany imports large numbers of Saanen goats, not alone on 
account of their milk yield, but because of their becoming easily 
accustomed to the climate and the feed, and, also because of their 
clean white color. The result of this large demand has been 
known to raise the price of a doe to 100 marks and of a buck to 
200 marks. 

Doctor Kohlschmidt, director of the agricultural school at 
Freiburg, Saxony, conducted experiments in 1896 and 1897 with 
various goats to test their capacity for milk production, and one 
of his conclusions was that the Saanen goats, which had been 
imported into Saxony in 1894, with the same feed and methods of 
keeping that the German goats had, could be classed as anything 
but better than the Saxony goats, as regards both quality and 
quantity of milk. 

Wilsdorf, however, after stating that the Saanen goats, after 
kidding, give from 4 to 6 liters of milk daily, and that "this yield 
happens not occasionally but as a rule in the Saanenthal," probably 
gives the reason why these goats in Kohlschmidt's possession 
proved to be so inferior. He says that the owners of the Saanen 
goats are not so lacking in foresight as to dispose of their best 
milch goats, for by so doing they would soon have competitors in 
a lucrative business. Besides, he calls attention to the depend- 
ence of the Swiss upon their goats, and for this reason also they 
will not sell the best animals out of their stalls. For the most 



218 MILCH GOATS. 

part those which are exported are fit only for slaughter. An idea 
of the enormous exports of Saanen goats may be had when one 
learns that there were shipped out of the Saanenthal and the 
immediate vicinity in 1893 something over 50,000 head. "We have 
seen exports of goats from Switzerland purchased at a large total 
cost which would have been considered almost worthless to an 
intelligent breeder." (Wilsdorf.) 

But let us return to Kohlschmidt's experiments giving the re- 
sults as they are quoted by Petersen: Ten Saanen goats were 
employed — 7 of them from 3 to 3 1-3 years old, and 3 from 2 to 
2^ years old. The average quantity of milk produced during 
a year by these 10 goats was 678.41 liters per head. The largest 
annual production was 911 liters, and the smallest production was 
421.94 liters. The following statement shows the annual pro- 
duction per head: 

2 gave over 400 liters (423 quarts). 

3 gave over 500 liters (528 quarts). 

1 gave over 600 liters (634 quarts). 

2 gave over 800 liters (845 quarts). 
2 gave over 900 liters (951 quarts). 

Animals of this breed which were 14 months old gave an aver- 
age during their first lactation of 509.72 liters per head per year. 
The maximum was 665.69 liters and the minimum 351.31 liters. 

The duration of the lactation of the animals 3 1-3 years old 
was 364 days as a maximum, 193 clays as a minimum, 296 as an 
average. For the animals 14 months old the maximum during 
the lactation was 348 days, minimum 265 days, average 330 days. 

The Nubian goat. — The Nubian goat is larger by half than 
the common species, and many who are unfamiliar with it take it 
at first glance for a horse, says one prominent writer. Below 
the top of the head the forehead rises so as to form a conical 
prominence, then sinks toward the nose until the nostrils are in 
an actual depression. The lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper 
and the teeth oftentimes extend above the nostrils. The ears are 
flat, long, large, and pendant. Sometimes, however, an individual 
is found with ears short, straight, and pointed. There is an entire 
absence of beard. The females have no horns ; those of the male 
are flat and short and lie upon the back of the head ; midway the 
horns are curved from within to without. 

The udcler is deeply indented, so as to form two very distinct 
lobes ; the teats are situated, as in all species, upon the lower part 
of the udder, but in this breed upon the outside and below. The 
eyes are very large and lie flat in the head — do not protrude. The 
hair is usually quite long, deep brown or black, and quite fine. 

There is no odor connected with this breed, even at rutting 




SPANISH MALTESE BUCK. 
Bred by B. H. Van Raub, Van Raub, Tex. 



220 MILCH GOATS. 

time, which occurs at all seasons of the year. It is an exceedingly 
prolific animal, having been known to give birth to as many as 
11 kids during one year — 4 on each of two occasions and 3 at 
another. No member of the goat family is more peaceful or 
gentle. 

This breed is very sensitive to cold, apparently being unable to 
withstand even a slight degree. This necessitates a warm barn or 
goat house. They should never be sent to pasture when there is 
frost. We are informed that the slightest cold produces abortion. 
A ration of dry, nourishing food — good hay will answer the pur- 
pose — is always- advisable. 

Crosses of Nubian bucks upon other breeds of milch goats have 
been successful. Du Plessis says: "The half-bloods are more 
vigorous, better built, less delicate in their food requirements, 
and withstand the climate of France without the slightest in- 
jury." 

The records show that the Nubian is the most productive milch 
goat known. Du Plessis says: "We have known Nubian goats 
of good constitutions, when intelligently handled, to give from 
5.28 to 6.34 quarts per day." 

There are reports of a few Nubian goats in the TJnited States, 
but whether they are the real Nubian breed is not known to the 
writer. It is quite evident that they would not thrive in the 
colder sections of our country in their pure state; but they would 
undoubtedly do well in the South and half-breeds would be able 
to withstand a colder climate. 

The Spanish-Maltese goat. — This breed of goats is found in 
Texas and New Mexico. 

It is known that Spain imports from Malta a great many 
Maltese goats and it is said that during the last hundred years 
large numbers have been exported from Spain to Mexico, where 
they are known as the Spanish-Maltese. While this is the claim 
made for them, which carries the inference that they are the pure 
Malta goats under another name, there are many reasons to cause 
one to doubt that they are of the pure Maltese breed. 

The following description of Spanish-Maltese breed is by 
B. H. Van Eaub, of Van Eaub, Tex., who has been a breeder of 
them for more than twenty years: "The Spanish-Maltese goat 
is about the average size of the common or the Angora goat, pos- 
sibly a little larger. It is white or grayish in color, but many 
have brown, bluish black, or reddish spots. Many have coarse 
hair, some have long, fine, silken hair, and some have short coarse 
hair. As a rule, they have pendulous ears, but there are some 
superior milkers having fox-like ears. There are more hornless, 




SPANISH MALTESE DOE. Bred by B. H. Van Raub, Van Raub, Tex. 




HORNLESS SPANISH MALTESE DOE 
Bred by B. H. Van Raub, Van Raub, Tex. 



222 MILCH GOATS. 

or muley, goats among the Spanish-Maltese than among any other 
breeds." 

The description shows that there are two varieties of Spanish- 
Maltese goats, and the illustrations show them to be so different 
in many respects as to lead one to suspect them of being distinct 
breeds. The short-haired one has several markings which are 
characteristic of the Toggenburger and has very few markings of 
the pure Maltese. The long-haired one varies in form and feature 
from the pure Maltese. 

It does not follow, however, that the Spanish-Maltese goats 
arc not a good milch breed, even though they may not belong to 
the Maltese breed. There is no statement at hand to show what 
is the average daily production of milk or how long is the period 
of lactation, but if the does can be made to produce as much as 
2 quarts daily under ordinary care, it should be considered well 
adapted to the goat dairy. Mr. Van Raub reports some which do 
much better than this. 

The literature concerning milch goats in the United States 
is but little and that unimportant. So far as the writer knows, 
there has been but one importation of milch goats, and that about 
twelve years ago. These numbered about a dozen head of Toggen- 
burgers. They have not seemed to thrive well here, but what it is 
in particular that prevents their thriving is not known to the 
writer. The remnant of the original importations is somewhere in 
Indiana at this time. It is probable that if they were taken into 
the mountains to a location like that from which they came, they 
would do better than they are now doing. 

Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Prance, Spain, Egypt, and Malta, 
all have milch goats of great worth, but, unfortunately, the Uni- 
ted States has found it necessary to established a prohibitive 
quarantine against all these countries because of the presence in 
them of contagious diseases of domestic animals. Fairly good 
animals may be secured in England, but none of pure blood. 
England found it necessary to evolve an "English" goat, just as 
we may find it necessary here to produce an "American" goat. 

There is no registration in the United States for milch goats of 
any breed. England has a registration, and as any importations 
we ma}'' make for some years are likely to come from that country, 
it would be well if registration papers were secured of all goats 
and held until such time as an association might be formed here. 
As soon as we in this country produce a goat that will yield as 
much as 2 quarts of milk per day, with a period of lactation of 



MILCH GOATS. 223 

5 or G months, it will then be time to think seriously of a regis- 
tration association. Until such an organization is formed, let 
the breeder keep a record of his goats' performances in the pro- 
duction of milk; stated otherwise, let each breeder have an indi- 
vidual record for his flock. These will in time prove of great 
value to the milch goat industry. 

The skins are among the best of the goat kind, and they add 
a little to the profits of the industry. There should be no difficulty 
in disposing of them wherever hides are handled. There are many 
tanneries in our country that use them and they import millions 
of dollars' worth annually. There would be no profit in raising 
these goats for their skins alone, or even for both their meat and 
skins. The value of our imports of goatskins for a series of years 
is given in the chapter on "'Minor matters of importance." 

These goats will destroy brushwood as readily and completely 
as the Angoras, but in doing so they produce a poor quality of 
milk and not much of it, and the period of lactation is shorter 
than if stall fed. An Angora succeeds in excellent manner in 
converting brushwood into mohair, but the dairy goat can not 
convert the same sort of feed into good milk. 



INDEX, 



Page 

JEsophagostoma venulosum affecting goats 158 

Age, how to determine 139 

proper, for breeding 138 

Aiken, M., remarks on odor of goat's milk 194 

Alabama, number and value of all goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Albrect, Von L., remarks on milking 254 

Albumin in goat's whey 208 

Allen, Richard, remarks on Davis importation 36 

Altenburger cheese from goat's milk 205 

American milch goat suggested 198 

Anderegg, Professor, remarks on Toggenburger goat 214 

Angora and Kurd goats, similarity of breeds 19 

goat, absence of ill odor 32 

description 30 

hornless, remarks 32 

industry, reasons for renewed interest 28 

modern, description 31 

native habitat 13 

origin and history 11 

purebred, description 30 

purebred ruined by crossing 30 

quantity of milk given 189 

question of hardiness 117 

goats, distribution previous to Rebellion 27 

from whom to buy 169 

how to handle 170 

in United States 19 

nonshedding, remarks 32 

number in South Africa, 1893-1898 52 

number in Turkey '52 

number in United States 49 

pastured with other stock 77 

Arizona, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Arkansas, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Ash in goat's and cow's milk 102 

Bachman, John, description of purebred Angora 31 

remarks on crossing of sheep and goats 171 

influence of climate on coats of ani- 
mals 17 

Bailey, C. P., concerning Diehl and Brown importation 39 



226 INDEX. 

Baiiey, C. P., development of industry in the West 27 

& Sons Co., importers 44 

opinion of Angora mutton 98 

remarks on dehorning 142 

remarks on fences 122 

Willard C, difficulties encountered in Asia Minor 44 

general remarks on kidding 127 

importer from Asia Minor. 44 

Barnes, Almont, remarks on land available for goat raising 106 

Barnette, J. R., remarks on kidding 133 

Beck, Q. M., remarks on dehorning 142 

Bezoar goat, ancestor of the Angora 12 

Binns, Henry O., remarks on crossing of Angora and Kurd goats. . 18 

Black, William L., concerning Chenery importations 37 

Davis importation 3G 

remarks on influence of climate on mohair.... 105 

kidding 133 

Bluestone for roundworms 153 

Blue vitriol, remedy for foot rot 162 

Bond, George W., remarks on value of fleece 24 

Brannin, S. S., remarks on grazing of goats 76 

Breeding and kidding of milch goats 200 

in-and-in 139 

proper age 138 

Breeds of milch goats 213 

Brewer importation of Cashmere goats 38 

Bridge, separating, description 127 

Brown, Charles S., importer 39 

Browsing, adding game flavor ; 77 

and pasturage, chapter 62 

supplementing feeding 76 

Brushwood, as permanent pasturage, treatment 70 

destroying by sheep 174 

extermination, availability of common goats 77 

use of Angora goats 62 

one year not sufficient 72 

some objectionable features 72 

Buck, remarks on management 140 

Butter fat in goat's and cow's milk 102 

from goat's milk, analysis and characteristics 206 

Calcium in ash of goat's whey 208 

California, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Cape Colony, production of mohair, 1857-1900 58 

Capra cvgagrus, subdivision of the goat family 12 

description by Schreiner 13 

falconeri, subdivision of the goat family 12 

description by Schreiner 12 

Carbohydrates in goat's butter 206 

Casein in goat's and cow's milk 102 

Cashmere and Angora goats, similarity of breeds 19 

goat, description 34 

goats, Brewer importation 38 



INDEX. 227 

Page 

Castration of kids, remarks 132 

Cawood, R., breeder of Bailey importation 44 

Cheese from goat's milk, remarks 205 

Chenery importation, remarks 37 

Ckesnut, V. K., note on laurel 74 

Cheveretin, French goat cheese 205 

Chisholm, J. R., remarks on milch goats in Queensland 183 

Chlorine in ash of goat whey 208 

Climate for Angora goat raising 104 

of Asia Minor, description 14 

Clipping machines, remarks 144 

Coal tar creosote for roundworms 153 

Coburn, F. D., opinion of Angora mutton 97 

Coligny, William G. de, remarks on Angoras for milk 102 

Colorado, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Connecticut, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Corning, W. O., remarks on Angora goats as brushwood destroyers. 66 

Country Gentleman, remarks on fleeces 24 

Stiles importation 39 

Crosses upon common does 135 

Cumberbatch, H. A., remarks on climate of Asia Minor 14 

Dairies, milch goat, remarks 204 

Davenport, Colonel, owner of some of the Davis goats 26 

Davis importation, difficulty in obtaining the goats 36 

James B., appointed cotton expert grower for Turkey 19 

note on durability of mohair . . ; 86 

Dehorning, remarks 142 

Delagoa Bay, source of importation 43 

Delaware, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

Dettweiler, Fr., remarks on cost of producing goat's milk 196 

flavor of goat's milk 193 

goat's milk 179, 180, 184 

quantity of milk given by goats 189 

tuberculosis in goats 212 

value of goats and goat products in 

Germany 177 

Diehl and Brown imputation 39 

Diehl, Israel S., description of Cashmere goat 34 

importer 39 

Dips for lice 162 

Diseases, chapter 153 

of milch goats, remarks 213 

District of Columbia, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900. 50 

Drenching for wireworms, remarks by Ch. Wardell Stiles 155 

how to do it 155 

Dressing and tanning the skins 165 

Du Plessis, remarks on Nubian goat 220 

Emery, George G., note on domestic and foreign mohair 81 

quality of mohair 82 

opinion of Turkish and American mohair 18 

remarks on price of mohair 88 



228 INDEX. 

Page 

England, use of goat's milk 186 

Eutichides importation : 39 

Fairchild, David G., concerning milch goats in Malta 213 

Fat in goat's whey 208 

butter 206 

Feed and care, influence on mohair 88 

for Angora goats, remarks 124 

Feeding of milch goats 220 

Feet of Angoras, care 134 

Fencing and herding Angoras 120 

housing milch goats 202 

Ferguson, J. A., opinion of Angora mutton 97 

Fink & Co., importation 43 

Henry, remarks on kidding 134 

Flavor of Angora mutton, remarks 100 

goat's milk 192 

Fleece, care after shearing 150 

Flesh, what to call it 171 

Flock from small beginning, remarks 135 

management, chapter 135 

the best 135 

Flocks, remarks on size 141 

Florida, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Foot rot, remedy 162 

Fromage de St. Marcellin, French goat cheese 205 

Fuchs, H. T., opinion of Angora mutton 98 

remarks on Angoras as cocklebur destroyers 69 

kidding 134 

shearing 143 

training goats to fight dogs 168 

trapping wolves 163 

Fulton, John W., interest in exploiting Angora mutton 97 

Game flavor added by browsing 77 

Gasoline for roundworms 153 

Gatheral, Gavin, remarks on quality of mohair in Asia Minor 15 

Georgia, number and value of goats, all breeds, 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Germany, number of goats in 1873, 1883, 1885, 1892 177 

remarks on value of goats and goat products by Dett- 

weiler 177 

Gloves, imports, 1896-1901 174 

Goat, Angora. (See Angora goat.) 

Goat house, remarks 202 

paper, its province 173 

Rocky Mountain, remarks 174 

Goating, one year not sufficient on brushwood 72 

Goatskins, imports, 1896-1901 174 

Goats, brief description by Hayes and Wood 12 

common, as brush destroyers 77 

remarks 173 

all breeds, number in United States 49 

and sheep affected by same diseases 153 



INDEX. 229 

Page 

Goats, milk cheese, remarks 205 

cost of production 196 

remarks on flavor 192 

odor 194 

quality 188 

number of species 11 

to an acre of brushwood 77 

Goodall, George B., first to weave plush in the United States 95 

remarks on kemp 84 

the care of fleeces 150 

Grass considered injurious when wet 125 

springing up after goats 74 

Gratairon, French goat cheese 205 

Grazing of goats 76 

Green briers injurious to goats 74 

Grout, John H., remarks on Maltese milch goats 21S 

Habitat of Angora goats 13 

Haddrup, B. R., remarks on goat's milk 185 

Hardiness of Angora goats 117 

Hales, C. H., remarks on availability of Oregon for goat raising. . . . 194 

Hampton, Wade, owner of some of the Davis goats 26 

Harris and Hall importation 40 

John S., development of industry in the West 27 

difficulties in importing Angoras 40 

importer 40 

note on influence of feed on fleece 87 

remarks on climate of Idaho for Angoras 105 

grazing of goats . , 76 

in-and-in breeding 139 

Hawaii, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

Hayes, John L., opinion of the Angora • 12 

Hays, George M., opinion of Angora mutton 98 

Herding and fencing 120 

Hilpert, Felix, description of milch goat 197 

remarks on flavor of goat's milk 193 

goat's milk 180, 184 

tuberculosis in goats 211 

Hoffman, Doctor, analysis, of goat's milk 190 

remarks on goat's milk 170, 184 

tuberculosis in goats 212 

Hogg, James S., remarks on Angoras as brushwood destroyers. . . .' 66 

Holmes, R. C., breeder of Landrum importation 46 

Holter, A. M., opinion of Angora mutton 97 

Hook, Bryan, remarks on feed of goats 125 

flavor of goat's milk 192 

milch goat house 202 

Toggenburger goat 214 

tuberculosis in goats 210 

Houck, George A., opinion of Angora mutton 100 

Housing and fencing of milch goats 202 

Hughes, W. G., concerning Chenery importation 37 

opinion of Angora mutton 98 

remarks on kidding 132 



230 INDEX. 

Page 

Hughes, W. G., separating bridge 127 

Ibexes, brief description 12 

Idaho, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 . , 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Illinois, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Importations, a glance into the future 46 

Importers and importations, chapter 36 

In-and-in breeding 139 

Indiana, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Indian Territory, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900. . . 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899. 55 

Iowa, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Italy, use of goat's milk 186 

Jenks, C. W., concerning Peters importation 43 

Kalmia latifolia (laurel), poisonous to goats 74 

Kansas, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Kemble, A., remarks on Angoras as brushwood destroyers 66 

Kemp, general remarks 82 

why objectionable 83 

Kentucky, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Kidding and breeding of milch goats 200 

the kids, remarks 126 

corral method, by W. C. Bailey 127 

notes from correspondents 132 

staking method, by W. C. Bailey 131 

Kids and kidding, remarks 126 

castration 132 

number at a birth 141 

weaning 132 

Kimball, H. I., remarks on kidding 133 

use of clipping machines 144 

Kloepfer, G., remarks on feeding milch goats 201, 202 

flavor of goat's milk 193 

Kohlschmidt, Doctor, remarks on Saanen goat. 217, 218 

Kurd goat, crossing with the Angora 18, 30 

Land available for goat raising 106 

enrichment by goats 167 

Landrum, William M., concerning Chenery importation 37, 38 

Butichides importation 39 

Peters, or Jenks, importation.. 43 

development of the industry in the West. . 27 

importer from South Africa 46 

of first goats into California 27 

remarks on kidding 132 

Laurel (Kalmia latifolia), poisonous to goats 74 

Leather from Angora skins 164 

Lewis, Morris, remarks on Angoras as brushwood destroyers 68 

Lice, how to kill them 162 



INDEX. 231 

Page 

Louisiana, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Ludlow, F. W., inventor of combination shearing table and trough. 146 

Machines for shearing 144 

McMurtrie, William, remarks on mohair measurements 79 

McPherran, E. W., availability of northern Michigan for Angoras. . 109 

Magnesium in ash of goat's whey 208 

Maine, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Markets for goats for meat 100 

Marking of goats 125 

Maryland, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

Massachusetts Mohair Plush Company, note 95 

number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

Ploughman, concerning Chenery importation 38 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899... 55 

May, H., remarks on goat's whey 208 

Meat, what to call it 171 

Micrococcus caprinus, organism of goat disease 159 

Milch goat dairies, remarks 204 

description 197 

situation 176 

goats, breeding and kidding 200 

breeds 213 

chapter 176 

diseases 213 

fencing and housing 202 

general remarks ; 213 

notes on their skins 223 

number in Germany, 1873, 1883, 1885, 1892 177 

period of lactation 192 

possibilities of importations 222 

the matter of registration 222 

Zeitung, analysis of goat's butter 206 

remarks on flavor of goat's milk 193 

goat's milk 185 

Michigan, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Milking, remarks on operation 204 

Milk of Angoras, remarks 101 

cow, analyzed 102 

goat, analyzed 102, 185, 189 

cost of production 196 

its various uses 179 

quality 192 

remarks on analysis 184 

sugar in goat's and cow's milk 102 

Minnesota, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Mississippi, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Missouri, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 



232 INDEX. 

Page 

Mohair and mohair manufactures, chapter 79 

articles manufactured 91 

description of quality in Asia Minor by Gavin Gatheral. ... 16 

influence of feed and care 86 

manufactures, general remarks 91 

prices at Bradford, 1856-1894 90 

production, chapter 49 

of Cape Colony, 1857-1900 57 

Turkey, 1875-1900 56 

United States 54 

products, durability 86 

remarks on foreign competition 55 

luster 81 

price 87 

the question of overproduction 58 

Mohler, John R., remarks on takosis 158 

Montana, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899. 55 

Morocco leather, imports, 1896-1901 174 

Mutton, Angora, discussion 96 

Nebraska, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Nevada, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

New Hampshire, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900. . . 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899. 55 

New Jersey, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

New Mexico, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899. ... 55 

New York, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

North Carolina, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900. ... 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899. 55 

North Dakota, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

Norway, use of goat's milk 186 

Nubian goat, general remarks 218 

quantity of milk given 189 

Odor of goat's milk 194 

Ogden, Philo, grazing of goats 76 

Ohio, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Oklahoma, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Oregon, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Osborn, A. O., disposition of the Davis goats 26 

Parasites, remarks by Ch. Wardell Stiles 153 

scab, affecting goats 157 

Paseng, ancestor of Angora goat 12 

Pasturage and browsing, chapter 62 

permanent, treatment of brushwood 70 

Pasturing goats with other live stock 77 

Pegler, S. Holmes, note on durability of mohair 86 



INDEX. 233 

Page 

Penny Magazine, notes on collecting and selling pashm 34 

Pennsylvania, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899. ... 55 

Pens and shelter 118 

Peters, or Jenks, importation 43 

Richard, concerning Davis importation 36 

crossing ' sheep and goats 171 

founder of Angora industry in the United States. 26 

management of buck 140 

purchase of Angoras from Doctor Davis 25 

Petersen, Peter, milk of the goat 180 

quantity of milk of goats 189 

remarks on Saanen goats 217 

Pets, use of Angoras 169 

Phosphoric acid in ash of goat's whey 208 

Place, O. G., milk of the goat 186 

Plush manufacture in United States, history 94 

Pneumonia, verminous, affecting goats 158 

Potassium in ash of goat's whey 208 

Power, T. C, opinion of Angora mutton 98 

Proteids in goat's butter 206 

Registration association 172 

Renesse, A. von, analysis of goat's milk 190 

remarks on goat's milk 182, 184 

making goat cheese 206 

milking 204 

tuberculosis in goats 211 

Reusse, C. P., remarks on goat's whey ■. 188 

Rhode Island, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899... 55 

Ricotto cheese from goat's milk 205 

Ridgels (rignals), remarks 141 

Robes from Angora skins 164 

Roby, Mrs. Edward, efforts to develop American milch goat 200 

interest in milch goats 177 

suggests American milch goat 198 

Rocky Mountain goat, remarks 174 

Roquefort cheese from goat's milk 205 

Roundworms affecting goats, remarks by Ch. Wardell Stiles 153 

Rugs from Angora skins 164 

Saanen goat, general remarks 216 

Salting of goats, remarks 125 

Salts in goat's butter 206 

whey 208 

Sanford Mills, mohair manufacturers 95 

Scab parasites affecting goats 157 

Schreiner, S. C. Cronwright, crossing of sheep and goats 171 

description of Capra falconeri and C. 

crgagrus 12 

description of purebred Angora 31 

influence of climate on coats tf ani- 
mals 17 

feed on fleece 87 



234 INDEX. 

Page 

Schreiner, S. C. Cronwright, origin of the Angora 12 

production of mohair in Cape Colony. 28 

Schwartz, Doctor, remarks on milk of the goat 180 

tuberculosis in goats 211 

Schweitzer cheese from goat's milk 205 

Sclerostoma hypostomum affecting goats 158 

Scott, G. M., remarks on kidding. 133 

Sexes, what to name them 171 

Shafor, W. A., importer of Toggenburger goats 216 

Shaw, Thomas, availability of Minnesota lands for Angoras 112 

Shearing by hand, note 144 

care of fleece after operation 150 

description of operation 146 

machines, remarks 144 

once or twice a year 143 

washing goats before operation 148 

Shedding, remarks 152 

Sheep and goats, affected by same diseases 153 

crossing with Angoras, discussion 170 

destroyers of brushwood 174 

goats as protection 167 

Shelter and pens 118 

Skins and their uses 164 

importations 165, 174 

Sodium in ash of goat's whey 208 

Soil desirable for Angora goat raising 105 

South Africa, number of Angoras, 1893-1898 52 

South Carolina, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production 55 

South Dakota, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900.... 50 
quantity and value of mohair production in 1899. . . 55 

Spanish-Maltese goats, general remarks 220 

St. Claude, French goat cheese 205 

Standley, J. R., goats as brushwood destroyers 63 

management of buck 140 

Stiles, Ch. "Wardell, remarks on drenching for wireworms 155 

parasites 153 

roundworms affecting goats 153 

Stomach worms 153 

Stiles importation 39 

Stomach worms, preventive measures 156 

(Strongylus contortus), discussion 153 

use of worm powders 157 

Strongylus filicollis affecting goats 158 

Sugar in goat's whey 208 

goat's and cow's milk 102 

Sulphuric acid in ash of goat's whey 208 

Summer, A. G., owner of some of the Davis goats 26 

Takosis in goats, remarks by John R. Mohler 158 

Tanning and dressing goatskins 165 

Tapeworms affecting goats 158 

Tariff on goat products 172 



INDEX. 235 

Page 

Tennessee, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Texas, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Thymol for roundworms 153 

Toggenburger goat, general remarks 214 

Tom, Oscar, remarks on kidding 134 

shelter required 120 

Tompkins, Daniel F., efforts to develop American milch goat 200 

Toole, J. K., opinion of Angora mutton 97 

Trichocephalus afflnis affecting goats 158 

Trimmings from Angora skins 164 

Trowbridge, George, concerning Brewer importation 28 

Tuberculosis, immunity of goats 210 

in goats, remarks 196 

note 158 

with reference to Angora goats 102 

Turkey, mohair production, 1875-1900 56 

number of Angora goats in 1894 52 

number of Angora goats in 1902, estimate 52 

Turpentine for roundworms 153 

Uncinaria cernua affecting goats 158 

Utah, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Van Raub, B. H., breeder of Spanish-Maltese goats 220 

Vermont, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Verminous pneumonia affecting goats : 158 

Virginia, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quanity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Water content of goat's and cow's milk 102 

in goat's butter 206 

whey 208 

Watering goats, remarks 125 

Washing goats before shearing 148 

Washington, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Watts, J. Washington, concerning Stiles importation 39 

Weaning kids, remarks 132 

Wellington, Duke, note on durability of mohair 86 

West Virginia, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899. . . 55 

Whey, goat's analysis 208 

composition of ash 208 

remarks 208 

use as medicine 188 

White, Mrs. Harriet E. Davis, concerning Davis importation 36 

remarks on fleece of first importa- 
tion 24 

sale of Davis goats. ... 26 

Wildcat, enemy of kids 163 

Williamson, H. M., discussion of overproduction of mohair 59 

Wireworms, remarks on drenching 155 



236 INDEX. 

Pape 

Wisconsin, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Wolf, enemy of goats 163 

Woods, C. D., remarks on Angoras as brushwood destroyers 64 

Worm powders, remarks 157 

Wyoming, number and value of goats, all breeds, in 1900 50 

quantity and value of mohair production in 1899 55 

Zurn, B. S., analysis of ash of goat's whey 208 

notes on goat's whey ■ • . • 208 

quantity of milk given by goats 189 



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